Strong explosive eruption at Kanlaon volcano forces evacuations, Philippines
A strong explosive eruption took place at the summit of Kanlaon volcano on Negros Island, Philippines at 10:51 UTC on June 3, 2024, producing a thick plume of ash up to 7.6 km (25 000 feet) above sea level and forcing evacuations of residents in four barangays. The Alert Level was raised from 1 to 2.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) reported the six-minute steam-driven or phreatic explosion from the summit vent. Following the eruption, the Alert Level for Mt. Kanlaon was raised from 1 (abnormal) to 2 (increasing unrest) at 12:00 UTC (20:00 LT).
The eruption generated a voluminous and incandescent plume that rapidly rose above the vent, along with probable short pyroclastic density currents approximately 2 to 3 kilometers (1.2 to 1.9 miles) down the southern and southeastern slopes. This activity was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake.
According to Darwin VAAC, ash plume rose to 7.6 km (25 000 feet) above sea level.
Communities on the western slopes of the volcano reported coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors.
The volcano has been exhibiting above background earthquake activity for the past month and has been degassing relatively anomalous SO2 that has averaged approximately 1 273 tonnes/day per yer, PHIVOLCS volcanologists said in a bulletin.
Local government units in Negros Occidental, including La Castellana town and La Carlota City, have been advised to prepare for a possible escalation in the alert level. Villages in San Carlos and Bago cities, as well as Moises Padilla and Murcia towns, are also near the volcano.
In Negros Oriental, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas ordered the evacuation of residents in Barangays Masulog, Pula, Lumapao, and Malaiba. These areas are within the permanent 4 km (2.5 miles) danger zone. Cardenas mobilized resources and coordinated with various agencies, including the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to ensure residents’ safety.
Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria has promised additional assistance and resources for the evacuation efforts. All available trucks have been mobilized, and neighboring municipalities and cities have been asked to assist.
PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol warned that the explosive eruption could progress into a hazardous magmatic eruption, advising the public to prepare face masks to protect against ashfall. Bacolcol explained that explosive volcanic eruptions occur when volcanic gas expands quickly, causing powerful explosions that release ash, gas, and lava. The public needs to be aware of the prevailing wind directions to determine where ashfall might occur.
PHIVOLCS initially described the eruption as phreatic but later edited their notification to “explosive” to reflect the strength of the eruption.
Entering the permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited due to the increased risk of sudden and hazardous eruptions. Aviation authorities have also been advised to caution pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit, as ejecta could pose a hazard to aircraft.
References:
1 Kanlaon update – PHIVOLCS – June 4, 2024
2 Alert Level 2 hoisted as Mt. Kanlaon erupts – PNA – June 3, 2024
Featured image credit: Atty. Dino Yulo
Many volcanoes are erupting around the globe, and more will erupt, but do not be surprised if the controlled mass media will tell, you that these eruptions are the result of global warming (man-made climate change)