In the central Philippines, a volatile volcano experienced a brief eruption on Tuesday, ejecting a 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) column of ash and debris into the atmosphere, with its rumblings audible to those in proximity.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that Kanlaon Volcano underwent a moderately explosive eruption at its summit crater just before dawn. This event persisted for five minutes, as indicated by seismic and infrasound readings.
The instituteโs bulletin described the eruption as generating a substantial grayish plume that rose approximately 4.5 kilometers above the vent, eventually drifting southwest.
Ash deposits were observed in at least nine villages southwest of the volcano on Negros Island, yet there were no reports of injuries or property damage.
A level 3 alert, part of a scale from one to five, that was initially issued during Kanlaonโs December eruption remains in effect. This alert status maintains a restricted 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) danger zone, indicative of the volcanoโs state of magmatic unrest. It signifies an increased probability of short-lived, moderately explosive eruptions capable of producing volcanic hazards.
Kanlaon also had a brief eruption in April. The December eruption led to the evacuation of thousands of residents to emergency shelters as the volcano continued to demonstrate signs of increased activity.
Standing at 2,435 meters (7,988 feet), Kanlaon is among the Philippinesโ 24 most active volcanoes. Authorities recalled an incident from 1996 when a surprise eruption at Kanlaon resulted in the deaths of three hikers, with several others rescued near the peak.
The Philippines is situated on the Pacific โRing of Fire,โ a geographically volatile zone known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. As one of the worldโs most disaster-prone nations, the archipelago also faces around 20 typhoons and storms annually.