MANILA — It’s been six months since Kanlaon Volcano last erupted. 

Following a strong eruption on Monday afternoon, state volcanologists were quick to recommend the mandatory evacuation of residents living within the six-kilometer danger zone.

Based on monitoring, Phivolcs said the latest volcanic activity may be considered dangerous especially for those in the way of the pyroclastic density current (PDC) that it produced minutes after its eruption.

Ma. Antonia Bornas, Phivolcs Chief of the Volcanic Monitoring, Eruption and Prediction Division, said there is no way for anyone to escape PDCs and can result in death once people get into contact with it.

“Ito ang pinaka-lethal dahil ito ay nagmu-mula o nagu-ugat mainly sa mga collapsed material sa bunganga ng bulkan. Ito ay magkahalong mainit na volcanic gas, ash at fragmented voclanic rocks,” she said.

(This is the most lethal among volcanic hazards because these collapsed material from the volcano’s mouth. It’s a mix of hot volcanic gas, ash and fragmented volcanic rocks.)
Bornas adds that PDCs can cause inceneration. What makes it even more dangerous is that it can travel at speeds between 30 to 60 kilometers per hour and is therefore similar to being hit by a high speed vehicle upon contact.

Fortunately, Phivolcs said the PDC travelled only as far as 3.4 kilometer from the crater at the southeastern edifice near the town of La Castellana.

The eruption, which lasted for a little less than four minutes, also produced a four-kilometer-high plume bent towards west southwest. Ash fall reports were received in Bago City, Negros Occidental; Mambukal, Murcia, Guintubdan, Ara-al and La Carlota City.

Experts warned the public against complacency by thinking that the eruption has released the brewing pressure inside.

“Pag pumuputok ang bulkan, ito ay naglalabas ng pressure. Pero humihigop ng maraming volcanic gas mula sa system. Nagsasanhi ng paninigas ng magma. Hindi ibig sabihin na pag nagerlease ang bulkan ay tapos na,” Bornas said.

(Once a volcano erupts it releases pressure. But it also sucks volcanic gases from within the volcanic system. This causes the solidification of magma. It doesn’t mean that once it erupts, it won’t happen again.)

Phivolcs has placed Kanlaon Volcano under alert level 3 indicating magmatic unrest. 

It will continue to monitor volcanic activities including tremors with sudden changes possibly prompting them to once again raise the alert to level 4.

The public, especially those who experienced ash fall, is advised to quickly remove and clean areas of their home where ash may have accumulated.

Health experts have repeatedly said that frequent washing, especially of the eyes and wearing of a face mask can protect an individual from irritation caused by ash contact or inhalation.