Kanlaon erupts; Phivolcs to maintain Alert Level 3

Ashfall has affected 60 barangays surrounding Mt. Kanlaon, and yet, yesterday's volcanic eruption is not yet "the bigger one" that is being anticipated, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

- By GILBERT BAYORAN

Science and research analyst Ferly Sianson, who is based at the Phivolcs station in La Carlota, described the volcano's activity yesterday as a minor explosive eruption.

Two minor explosive eruptions also took place at Mt. Kanlaon on June 3 and Dec. 9 last year.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol warned of possible short-lived or stronger explosive eruptions in the coming days, describing them as "highly violent and powerful," driven by a sudden release of gas and pressure along with ash and pyroclastic currents.

The explosive eruption occurred from 5:51 a.m. to 6:47 a.m. yesterday, producing a voluminous bent plume approximately 4,000 meters tall that drifted southwest. Mt. Kanlaon is currently under Alert Level 3.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued a Notice to Airmen to avoid flights near Mt.

Kanlaon, with vertical limits from the surface up to 22,000 feet. The NOTAM will be in effect from April 8, 8:20 a.m. until April 9, 5:51 a.m.

Flight operators were advised to avoid flying near the volcano due to the potential hazards posed by volcanic ash with seismic and infrasound signals.

Meanwhile, Sianson reported that pyroclastic density currents also descended the slopes on the general southern edifice of Kanlaon.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Negros Occidental reported light to heavy ashfall in 24 barangays of La Carlota City, La Castellana, Pontevedra and Bago City.

Sulfuric smell was also reported in four barangays of Bago City and La Castellana, according to the Negros Occidental PDRRMC.

Grassfire was also reported at the eastern upper slopes of Kanlaon that was ignited by superheated ballistic fragments that were thrown out from the crater by the explosive eruption.