Alert level 2 has been placed in Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental following the emmission of plumes that rose to 5,000 meters.
In an 8 p.m. advisory on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said an explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon at 6:51 p.m.
"The eruption produced a voluminous and incandescent plume that rapidly rose to 5,000 meters above the vent and probable short pyroclastic density currents, or PDCs, approximately 2-3 kilometers down the southern and southeastern slopes based on IP and thermal camera monitors," said the state seismologist.
The eruption reportedly lasted six minutes, based on the seismic record, and was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake.
As a result, coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors have been reported in communities on the western slopes of the volcano.
"As of present, only two weak volcanic earthquakes have been recorded," said PHIVOLCS."
"Kanlaon has been exhibiting above-average background earthquake activity for the past month and has been degassing relatively anomalous SO2 that has averaged approximately 1,273 metric tons per day for the year," it furthered.
With the increasing unrest, residents of Canlaon City were urged to evacuate since they are within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfalls, and landslides.
Civil aviation authorities are also advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit.
Under Alert Level 2, elevated volcanic earthquakes, steam emissions, ground deformation, and hot spring temperatures are being experienced.
