The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Tuesday, April 8, could still be followed by more explosive activity.
In a televised briefing, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said although no significant increase in volcanic activity has been observed since the eruption, it is still too early to rule out further eruptions.
“Hindi na nasundan ‘yung pagputok kanina. Wala rin kaming nakitang uptick sa monitoring parameters natin after the eruption. But it’s too early to tell pa since katatapos lamang ng eruption,”Bacolcol said.
(The eruption earlier has not been followed by any further activity. We also haven’t seen any uptick in our monitoring parameters after the eruption. But it’s too early to tell because the eruption just happened).
He added that the explosion on April 8 was similar to the eruption on Dec. 9, 2024.
“Pwede pa rin itong masundan ng similar short-lived explosive eruptions or even mas malakas pa. In fact, the eruption that we saw this morning is a repeat of what we saw last Dec. 9. Halos pareho and taas ng ash column na umabot ng four kilometers,” he added.
(This could still be followed by similar short-lived explosive eruptions or even stronger ones. In fact, the eruption we saw this morning is a repeat of what happened on Dec. 9. The height of the ash column was almost the same, reaching four kilometers).
The eruption, which lasted from 5:51 a.m. to 6:47 a.m., released an ash column that reached four kilometers from the volcano’s summit vent.
Ashfall was reported in several barangays in the town of La Castellana, La Carlota City, and Bago City, all located in the province of Negros Occidental.
Bacolcol confirmed that Kanlaon Volcano remains at Alert Level 3, indicating that a hazardous eruption is still possible.
He said most of Kanlaon Volcano’s previous eruptions have been phreatic, where water interacts with hot volcanic materials such as rocks or gases.
However, lava flow, though rare, remains a possibility, with the last occurrence recorded in 1902.
“Nasa Alert Level 3 pa rin ang Kanlaon Volcano at pwede magkaroon ng lava flow. Isa ‘yan sa scenarios na tinitignan natin but in the past it was only in 1902 na naglabas ng lava ‘yung Kanlaon Volcano,” Bacolcol said.
(Kanlaon Volcano is still on Alert Level 3 and lava flow is a possible scenario. This is one of the scenarios we're monitoring, but in the past, lava flow only occurred in 1902).
Bacolcol urged residents living near the volcano to stay alert, avoid the six-kilometer danger zone, and follow local advisories.
“Sa mga kababayan natin living around Kanlaon Volcano, pakiusap po natin na manatiling alerto at iwasan ang pagpasok sa loob ng six-kilometer danger zone. They have to listen to advisories coming from their LGUs (local government units) and from our office sa Phivolcs. Huwag kayong maniwala sa fake news,” Bacolcol urged.
(To those living around Kanlaon Volcano, we ask that you remain alert and avoid entering the six-kilometer danger zone. Please follow advisories from your LGUs and our office at Phivolcs. Do not believe in fake news).