Kanlaon continues to spew ashes

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental continued to spew ashes, the most recent episode being last Saturday afternoon when ash clouds reached 300 to 1,000 meters high above the summit, government volcanologists said.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), grayish steam clouds were observed for nearly two hours starting at 12:20 p.m. and then drifted southwest.

The ash deposits later enveloped the upper and middle slopes of the volcano’s southwest side, Phivolcs said.

Only the Sto. Bama seismic station some five kilometers west of Kanlaon’s crater recorded two high-frequency volcanic earthquakes.

"The ongoing activity appears to be concentrated at shallow depths beneath the active crater of Kanlaon," Phivolcs said.

Alert level 1 remains hoisted at Kanlaon Volcano. Phivolcs advised the public to stay away from the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone since steam-driven explosions may occur. — Felix de los Santos