Kanlaon erupts anew; ashfall hits barangays

A moderately explosive eruption occurred at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island on Friday night, causing ashfall and sulfur stench in 15 barangays, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

- By GILBERT BAYORAN and CHRISTINE BOTON

The eruption, the fifth since June 3 last year, lasted three minutes and produced plumes that rose 2,000 meters from the crater.

Phivolcs said pyroclastic density currents were spotted on the southern upper slopes of the volcano following the eruption.

Ashfall and sulfur stench were reported in the villages of Abua-nan, Bacong, Dulao, Ilijan, Ma-ao, Mailum and Tabunan in Bago City as well as in Araal in La Carlota City, Codcod in San Carlos City, Punta Taytay in Bacolod, Cabagna-an in La Castellana, Zamora in Pontevedra and Minoyan in Murcia in Negros Occidental.

Residents in the villages of Lumapao and Linuthangan in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental also experienced ashfall and sulfur stench.

Phivolcs said three ash emissions also occurred at the volcano yesterday morning, generating grayish plumes that rose 300 meters.