Multiple ash emissions at Kanlaon volcano, Philippines
Multiple ash emissions were recorded at Kanlaon volcano, Philippines over the past couple of days, with ash rising up to 750 m (2 460 feet) above the summit. The volcano remains under Alert Level 2.
Image credit: PHIVOLCS
Multiple ash emissions were observed at Kanlaon volcano between 15:49 LT and 16:27 LT on December 3, producing grayish plumes of approximately 400 m (1 300 feet) above the summit before drifting southwest, as recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory’s VKMN IP Camera in Mansalanao, La Castellana.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) maintains Alert Level 2, since June 3, indicating a state of moderate unrest.
The public is advised to avoid entering the 4 km (2.5 mile) Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano to minimize risks from pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, and rockfalls. Residents near the danger zone are cautioned about potential hazards including steam-driven eruptions and precursor magmatic activity.
“We will closely monitor its movement and check if this ash emission would persist and if this will lead to a major eruption,” Teresito C. Bacolcol, PHIVOLCS director stated.
Civil aviation authorities are asked to prevent aircraft from flying near the summit due to the risk of ash and debris.
LOOK: Time-lapse footage of ash emissions from the Kanlaon Volcano summit crater observed between 1549H to 1627H today. These events generated grayish plumes that rose 400 meters above the crater before drifting southwest as recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory – VKMN… pic.twitter.com/5gXjrPc6hx
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) December 3, 2024
2 ash emission events were reported by PHIVOLCS on December 2. The first event occurred between 05:41 LT and 05:46 LT, while the second was recorded between 07:46 LT and 08:30 LT. The emissions produced gray plumes rising between 400 and 600 m (1 300 and 2 000 feet) before drifting northwest and north-northwest.
Five volcanic earthquakes were recorded and the volcano emitted 9 377 metric tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Ash emissions were recorded between 09:20 LT and 09:55 LT on December 1, generating plumes that rose 750 m (2 460 feet) before drifting northwest. SO2 flux reached 4 287 metric tons with 5 volcanic earthquakes also detected during the day.
Kanlaon Volcano is an andesitic stratovolcano characterized by fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones, craters with lakes, a 2 km (1.24 miles) wide caldera, and the active Lugud crater.
The largest debris avalanche known in the Philippines traveled 33 km (20 miles) SW from Kanlaon.
References:
1 LIVE updates: Kanlaon Volcano restiveness – philstar GLOBAL – November 30, 2024
2 Phivolcs monitors Kanlaon for ‘major’ eruption – The Manila Times – December 2, 2024
3 Geological summary for Kanlaon volcano – GVP – Accessed December 3, 2024
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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