Kanlaon Volcano Erupts with Ash Emissions on Christmas Eve, Raising Alarms in Communities

On Christmas Eve, the Kanlaon Volcano in the Philippines made headlines once again as it resumed its ash emission, causing concern among local communities and authorities. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that ash began to spew from the volcano's summit at 11:37 AM, generating a dark plume that reached an altitude of 1,200 meters. The ashfall was expected to affect the southern and southwestern sectors of the volcano, raising alarms for residents in these areas. The volcanic activity didn't stop there; just the day before, Kanlaon had already displayed signs of increased unrest with a total of four ash emission events recorded on Monday alone. These events lasted up to four hours and 35 minutes, indicating a significant level of activity. Volcanologists observed a voluminous plume and continuous degassing, with 25 volcanic earthquakes, including four very weak tremors, reported during this period. The sulfur dioxide emissions from Kanlaon also provide insight into its current state. On Monday, the volcano released 2,200 tons of sulfur dioxide, a decrease from the 7,198 tons recorded the previous day. This fluctuation in gas emissions, combined with the inflating edifice of the volcano, signals ongoing volcanic unrest, prompting authorities to maintain Alert Level 3. Alert Level 3 signifies a high level of volcanic unrest with the potential for a hazardous eruption in the coming weeks. This escalation has led to an expansion of the danger zone surrounding the volcano, now stretching to a radius of six kilometers from the summit crater. This precautionary measure is crucial, as the potential hazards include sudden explosive eruptions, lava flows, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, and lahars, particularly during heavy rainfall. As the holiday season continues, the increased volcanic activity serves as a stark reminder of the natural forces that shape and threaten communities in the Philippines. Residents in the vicinity of Kanlaon are urged to stay vigilant, heed advisories from PHIVOLCS, and prepare for possible evacuations should the situation escalate further. The local government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with PHIVOLCS to ensure the safety of those living near the volcano.