Kanlaon Volcano Erupts Twice in 24 Hours, PHIVOLCS Maintains Alert Level 2

MANILA, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island has exhibited renewed unrest, starting with a minor explosive eruption on Friday night, October 24, followed by multiple ash emissions the following day, prompting a heightened public health warning from authorities.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the initial minor explosive eruption occurred at approximately 8:05 p.m. on Friday, lasting for about three minutes. The event generated an ash and smoke plume that reached up to 2,000 meters above the crater, drifting towards the northeast. PHIVOLCS also noted the occurrence of pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) descending the volcano’s southern slopes, within one kilometer of the summit crater.

The activity continued into Saturday, October 25, with PHIVOLCS confirming three subsequent ash emissions captured by a time-lapse camera at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory. These emissions occurred at 7:04 a.m., 8:26 a.m., and 9:23 a.m., releasing gray plumes up to 300 meters high before being carried northwest. These repeated activities confirm ongoing unrest within the summit crater.

As a result, Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, which signifies a high level of volcanic unrest. PHIVOLCS strictly prohibits entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano, and aircraft are warned to avoid flying close to the summit.

Ashfall was reported across several areas on Negros Island following the eruption, including localities in Negros Occidental such as Bago City (12 barangays), La Carlota City (2 barangays), Pontevedra, and San Carlos City (1 barangay). Ashfall was also observed in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, where residents also reported strong sulfurous fumes.

The Department of Health (DOH) issued a health advisory for residents in affected areas. The DOH warned that ashfall and lahar could cause irritation to the eyes and skin, as well as severe coughing. Residents are advised to take protective measures, including:

• Wearing N95 face masks for protection against ash particles.
• Using safety goggles or other eye protection.
• Wearing long-sleeved clothes and pants to cover exposed skin.
• Staying indoors and placing wet towels or cloths over gaps in doors and windows to prevent ash from entering homes.
• Boiling drinking water after an ashfall incident to ensure its cleanliness.

Medical teams have been deployed to the affected areas, and residents are urged to call the emergency hotline 911 or the Negros Island Region Operations Center for assistance.