A MODERATE eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Wednesday evening displaced dozens of families, triggered ashfall across several towns in Negros Occidental, and prompted class suspensions in affected areas, officials said.
In Bicol, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported two pyroclastic density current (PDC) events or “uson” at Mayon Volcano in Albay that triggered the collapse of lava along the Bonga Gully.
The Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) reported that the eruption occurred early evening, generating an ash plume that rose about 8,202 feet (2,500 meters) above the crater and drifted southwest.
This was followed by continued ash emission reaching about 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) and likewise moving southwest.
In La Castellana town, 10 families were evacuated and sheltered at a local sports center.
La Carlota City reported 13 displaced families or 40 individuals from two barangays. Of these, 12 families or 38 individuals were housed in evacuation centers in Barangays Ara-al and Yubo, while one family of two stayed outside a designated evacuation center.
Ashfall and a sulfuric odor were reported in La Castellana, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, San Carlos City, Hinigaran, Himamaylan, Binalbagan, Kabankalan, Isabela, Murcia, San Enrique, and Moises Padilla.
In Kabankalan City, ashfall was described as very light, appearing as barely visible fine gray powder on surfaces, with thickness ranging from trace amounts to less than 0.1 millimeter.
Authorities said this may cause mild irritation among sensitive individuals and slight visibility reduction during strong winds but poses no structural risk.
Shock waves were reported in Barangay Yubo in La Carlota City; Himamaylan City; Barangay Ilijan in Bago City; Binalbagan; La Castellana; and San Enrique.
Some local disaster risk reduction and management offices said the tremor was stronger than the Dec. 9, 2024 volcanic event. Reports of shock waves also came from parts of Southern Leyte and Camiguin.
Several local government units suspended classes on Feb. 27, as Canlaon City ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in public and private schools, and La Castellana and Hinigaran also suspended classes at all levels.
La Carlota City suspended elementary and secondary classes
The first eruption by Mayon was observed at 12:40 p.m., followed by another at 2:05 p.m., each lasting about one minute.
Both PDCs generated runouts of about 300 meters and brownish gray plumes that rose approximately 3,000 meters above the crater before drifting southwest, based on the time-lapse footage recorded by the Mayon Volcano Observatory.
In its 24-hour monitoring on Thursday and Friday, Phivolcs said there were 344 rockfall events, 13 PDCs, and seven volcanic earthquakes.
Lava flows remained active along the volcano’s southern and eastern gullies, reaching up to 3.8 kilometers in the Basud Gully, 2.2 kilometers in the Bonga Gully, and 1.3 kilometers in the Mi-isi Gully.
Sulfur dioxide emission was high at 2,199 tons per day.
Mayon Volcano stays under Alert Level 3.
Phivolcs reminded the public that entry into the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited due to the hazards posed by lava flows, rockfalls and PDCs.
Residents within the eight-kilometer radius were also advised to stay prepared for possible evacuation should monitoring parameters escalate and the alert level be raised to Alert Level 4.
