The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has urged residents near Kanlaon Volcano to avoid the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), as the volcano remains under Alert Level 3 following a series of explosive eruptions, ash emissions, and volcanic earthquakes.

The alert status, raised due to high volcanic unrest, means a hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days. 

Phivolcs has warned of continued threats to nearby communities, including sudden explosions, lava fountaining, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents (PDC), rockfalls, and potential lahar flows during heavy rain.

“Maaaring maganap ang mga sumusunod: biglaang pagsabog, pagbuga ng lava, pag-ulan ng abo, pyroclastic density current (PDC), rockfall, at pagdaloy ng lahar kung may malakas na pag-ulan (The following may occur: sudden eruptions, lava fountaining, ashfall, PDCs, rockfalls, and lahar flows during heavy rain),” the agency said in its bulletin issued April 9.

In the last 24 hours, the agency said Kanlaon recorded one explosive eruption lasting 56 minutes and 21 minutes of ash emission, which generated a dense plume that rose 4,000 meters above the crater. 

Ash drifted toward the southwest and south-southwest, affecting nearby areas.

Also, Phivolcs reported 15 volcanic earthquakes, including an 18-minute volcanic tremor, indicating continued magmatic movement beneath the surface. 

Sulfur dioxide emissions were recorded at 5,011 tons per day, a high output suggesting sustained degassing, it added.

Ground deformation data also showed swelling of the volcano, reinforcing signs of magma intrusion.

Phivolcs has prohibited all entry into the PDZ and advised aircraft to avoid flying near the summit, where ash plumes pose a risk to aviation safety.