MANILA: Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano in the central Philippines, erupted on Tuesday morning, sending a towering ash plume approximately 4,000 meters (2.5 miles) into the sky, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The volcano, situated between Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental provinces, remains under Alert Level 3, which has been in place since December 2024 following a prior explosive episode. This level indicates a heightened risk of magma extrusion and the possibility of a hazardous eruption within weeks.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol stated in an interview with DWPM radio that the alert status could be adjusted depending on the behavior of magma beneath the surface. A rapid upward movement could signal a more violent eruption, potentially raising the alert to Level 4. Conversely, a slower or stalled ascent might allow authorities to lower the warning to Level 2.
The Philippines, located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is home to around two dozen active volcanoes and frequently experiences volcanic activity and earthquakes due to its tectonic setting.
