On Monday, Mount Kanlaon, a volcano located on central Negros island in the Philippines, erupted, sending a plume of hot ash and gases up to three kilometers high. While there have been no immediate reports of casualties, the eruption prompted authorities to take precautionary measures.
Residents in several villages were affected by ashfalls, leading to reduced visibility for motorists and health concerns. Schools were closed, and a nighttime curfew was imposed to ensure the safety of the residents.
Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon city described the eruption as sounding like a cannon, noting that it was louder than previous eruptions. As a result, disaster-response officials raised the danger level around Kanlaon due to the increased risk of hazardous volcanic activity.
Evacuations were ordered for villagers within a six-kilometer radius of the crater. By nightfall, about 100 people had sought refuge in emergency shelters, with the potential for more than 2,000 individuals to be displaced if further eruptions occur.
The eruption of Mount Kanlaon resulted in a pyroclastic density current, a superhot stream of ash, debris, and rocks that poses a significant threat to anything in its path. The alert level for the volcano is currently at the third-highest level, indicating the onset of magmatic eruption that may escalate to more explosive events.
Standing at 2,435 meters, Mount Kanlaon is among the 24 most active volcanoes in the Philippines. Its last eruption was in June, which also led to the evacuation of hundreds of villagers to emergency shelters.
Located in the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' a region known for seismic activity, the Philippines faces multiple natural disasters annually, including typhoons, storms, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. This latest eruption serves as a reminder of the country's vulnerability to such events and the importance of preparedness and response measures.
