On the Radar: Mount Kanlaon's Recent Eruption in the Philippines
- Philippine'svolcano Kanlaon spews ash and lava.
Hey there!
Mount Kanlaon in the Philippines, our country’s peak on Negros Island, has once again grumbled to life, sending an ash plume soaring up to 4,000 meters high! The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported the early morning eruption on its usual grumpy self. A dusting of pyroclastic flows—a mix of lava, ash, and searing hot gases—was spotted slithering down the southern slopes.
Standing at just over 2,400 meters high, Mount Kanlaon—one of the most active volcanoes in the Central Philippines—has managed to catch the eye of not just geologists but avid hikers and trekkers too. Unfortunately, it also has quite the reputation for being a bit of a trickster, as three unfortunate climbers learned in 1996 when they found themselves in the line of an unexpected eruption.
If you're wondering when the last time Kanlaon really let loose, you're not alone! Ashfall was reported over several villages, causing schools to close their doors temporarily and aviators to steer clear of the skies in the area. The alert level for our pesky neighbor remains at level 3 out of 5, but don't let that fool you—it's still a "relatively high level of unrest," according to Phivolcs.
Remember that crazy eruption last year that forced folks out of their homes? Well, it looks like this event might force some more to join their fellow evacuees in evacuation centers. Emergency response teams are keeping a close eye on things.
If you're shaking your head and thinking that Mount Kanlaon sounds awfully familiar, it's because it's nestled in the heart of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone characterized by its never-ending volcanic activity and earthquake-prone nature. Our country sits smack-dab in the middle of it, making us one of the most geologically active regions on Earth.
- Mount Kanlaon: a mischievous but popular hiking destination on Negros Island, Philippines.
- Eruption: a natural event causing Mount Kanlaon to spew ash and pyroclastic flows.
- Alert Levels: warnings issued by Phivolcs to indicate the level of unrest exhibited by Mount Kanlaon.
- Evacuation Centers: temporary shelters for those displaced by the eruption.
- Pacific Ring of Fire: an area surrounding the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The Commission has also received information from the Member States on the situation in the Community, highlighting the current eruption of Mount Kanlaon, a volcano in the Philippines that was previously a popular hiking destination and is now causing evacuations due to the ash and pyroclastic flows. Despite the alert level being at 3 out of 5, it indicates a relatively high level of unrest, and the location of Mount Kanlaon within the Pacific Ring of Fire suggests it may not be the last eruption in this active region.
