Kanlaon Volcano had a moderately explosive eruption on Sunday, March 15, sending ash billowing out of the summit, marking the volcano’s third eruption this year, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said the eruption occurred at 6:07 p.m., generating a five-kilometer-high eruption column that drifted toward the southeast and northeast.

Monitoring data showed that two ash emission events followed, lasting from three minutes to as long as 229 minutes

Phivolcs noted that the activity marked the third moderately explosive eruption recorded at Kanlaon this year, following similar events on Feb. 19 and Feb. 26.

During its monitoring period from 12 a.m. on March 15, to 12 a.m. on March 16, the agency also recorded nine volcanic earthquakes, including two volcanic tremors, indicating continued unrest beneath the volcano.

Sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano reached 1,085 tons.

Alert Level 2 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano, indicating increased unrest and the possibility of sudden explosive eruptions.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone remains strictly prohibited due to potential hazards such as ashfall, ballistic fragments, pyroclastic density currents, and volcanic gases.

Communities near rivers and streams draining the volcano were advised to remain vigilant, especially during heavy rainfall when lahars may occur, while civil aviation authorities were warned against flying close to the volcano’s summit due to possible ash emissions.