Kanlaon spews more ashes

Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental ejected more ashes following a mild ash emission from 5:50 to 6:40 p.m. on Monday.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Kanlaon’s ash and steam clouds reached heights of 300 to 700 meters above the volcano’s active crater. Prevailing winds carried the ashes to the upper southwest slopes of the volcano.

"The continued light ashfall was also experienced by the Phivolcs’ investigating team collecting ash samples in Guintubdan and in Upper Sag-ang located five to six kilometers west-northwest and southwest upper slopes of the crater, respectively," Phivolcs said yesterday.

Phivolcs also reported yesterday that the seismograph network recorded two small high frequency volcanic earthquakes during the past 24-hour observation period.

"This indicates the ongoing activity is concentrated at shallow depths beneath the volcano’s active crater," Phivolcs said, adding that Alert Level 1 remains hoisted at Kanlaon Volcano and that the four-kilometer radius of the permanent danger zone is strictly off-limits because hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur.

One of the six most active volcanoes in the country, Kanlaon Volcano is located approximately 36 kilometers southeast of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. — Felix delos Santos