Locations Affected: Philippines

What:

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the status of Kanlaon volcano, located in the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, to Alert Level 02 after an eruption on 03rd June. A five-kilometre plume of ash, gas, and rocks was reportedly ejected from the volcano.

Why:

The Philippines, located in the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, has 24 active volcanoes. According to Phivolcs, the unrest in the volcano is caused by shallow magmatic activity.

So What:

• Alert Level 02 indicates a probable intrusion of magma at depth, which may lead to a magmatic eruption.
• Phivolcs has prohibited entry into a four-kilometre radius zone around the volcano marked as the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to avoid risks from sudden explosions, rockfall, and landslides.
• The eruption has led to the evacuation of 800 people from Negros Island. Work and school were suspended in Canlaon City on 03rd June.
• The Department of Health (DOH) has advised residents living near Mount Kanlaon to wear masks or cover their nose and mouth with a wet cloth, as ash can cause respiratory and other health issues.
• According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), at least 60 domestic flights were cancelled on 04th June. Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express cancelled flights to and from Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, and San Jose, Antique.
• Bacolod-Silay Airport and Dumaguete Airport were reported to be unaffected by the eruptions.

Outlook:

Government officials have warned of the possibility of further eruptions in the coming days, resulting in hazardous ashfall and sulfuric odour. Disruptions to transport services can be expected due to volcanic activity. Possible mudflows from the volcano can cause damage to structures and lead to road closures in the area. Utility service disruptions cannot be ruled out. Organizations are advised to stay updated on the situation and follow advisories and orders from local authorities. The updates regarding the volcano can be found on the Phivolcs website: https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php.