Philippines’ Kanlaon Volcano Erupts as Ash Plumes Rise; Evacuations Underway

A volcano erupted in the central Philippines on Monday, sending a massive ash column into the sky and prompting the government to call for the evacuation of surrounding villages. Kanlaon Volcano, which rises more than 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level on the central island of Negros, is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, an explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano at 3:03 PM local time (0703 GMT). The agency advised all local government units to evacuate residents within a six-kilometer (four-mile) radius from the volcano’s summit and to prepare for additional evacuations if the volcanic activity escalates.

Ash Plumes and Volcanic Activity Observed

Video clips shared by nearby residents on social media captured a giant, cauliflower-shaped grey mass of smoke billowing above Kanlaon’s crater. The seismology office reported that the ash plume rose to 3,000 meters above the vent, with red-hot ashes and other volcanic materials falling on the southeastern slope of the volcano.

The agency indicated that the current activity signifies the beginning of a “magmatic eruption,” which may lead to further explosive eruptions in the future. In September, hundreds of residents were evacuated after the volcano released thousands of tonnes of harmful gases in a single day, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with Kanlaon’s activity.