Kanlaon under Alert Level 3 after explosive eruption

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has placed Kanlaon Volcano under Alert Level 3 after an explosive eruption took place at 3:03 PM on Monday, 9 December.

Based on the bulletin released by Phivolcs, the eruption produced a voluminous plume that rose up to 3,000 meters above the volcano’s vent.

They added that the plumes have drifted west-southwest.

The agency advises the local government units around the volcano to evacuate the 6-kilometer radius from its summit.

In a photo uploaded on Facebook, the volcanic plume is visible as far as Toledo, Cebu.

Under Alert Level 3, it means that the volcano shows magmatic unrest, which means that it may progress to further explosive eruptions.

Other volcanoes

PHIVOLCS also provided updates on other volcanoes across the country. Besides Kanlaon Volcano, which has been raised to Alert Level 3, Taal Volcano in Batangas and Mayon Volcano in Albay are still at Alert Level 1. Meanwhile, Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon and Pinatubo Volcano in Central Luzon are at Alert Level 0.

Canlaon City suspends classes, gov't work

Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, issues an order mandating the use of face masks due to health risks posed by elevated sulfur dioxide levels.

The order also enforces a curfew for minors after 10 p.m., unless accompanied by a guardian.

All business establishments in Canlaon City must close by 10 p.m., and a liquor ban will be enforced to ensure public safety.

Additionally, classes at all levels in both public and private schools, as well as work in government offices, will be suspended starting this Monday, 9 December and will remain in effect until further notice.

Ashfall in Bago City

An ashfall occurred in Bago City, Negros Occidental, following an eruption of Kanlaon Volcano around 3 p.m. on Monday.

A photo shared on Facebook by Ser Alexander III shows the ashfall, which was accompanied by mud-like materials.

He also reported a strong, unpleasant odor in his area, likely due to sulfur emissions from the volcano.

"We need an evacuation center. Super my mga bato ata nga nagkahulog upod sang lutik nga basa basa nga ashes hoho," his Facebook post says.

Bago City was one of the areas listed by Phivolcs as having experienced ashfall following the eruption.