Kanlaon Volcano spews steam ash; alert level 1 up

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised yesterday the alert level at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island from 0 to 1 following a steam explosion on Monday night.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said no evacuation was ordered, but people, including mountaineers, are barred from entering the four-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.

“Kanlaon’s activity does not require any kind of evacuation. As of this time, there are no additional indications of a major or hazardous eruption,” Solidum said in a television interview.

He advised pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has issued a notice to airmen, advising pilots to exercise caution when flying near the vicinity of Kanlaon volcano.

Phivolcs said the steam explosion occurred at around 9:30 p.m.

The explosion, which lasted about 30 minutes, produced a white plume that rose as high as 1.5 kilometers above the summit.

“Rumbling sound was heard in Sitio Mananawin and Sitio Upper Pantao, both in Barangay Pula, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental,” the agency said.

The Kanlaon Network recorded volcanic tremor that lasted five hours after the explosion.

The agency also continued to monitor steam emission with minor ash from the summit crater yesterday morning.

Mt. Kanlaon, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, last erupted in June 2006. – With Rudy Santos