KANLAON Volcano in the Philippines erupted again on Monday afternoon, December 9, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to raise the alert level to 3.
The eruption, which began at 3:03 p.m., sent a massive plume of ash 3,000 meters into the air. PHIVOLCS reported that pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) were observed descending the slopes on the southeastern side of the volcano, based on data from thermal cameras and infrared sensors.
“This means a magmatic eruption has begun, and it could progress to further explosive eruptions,” PHIVOLCS stated.
Local authorities have been ordered to evacuate residents within a six-kilometer radius of the summit and prepare for potential additional evacuations.
While the eruption was relatively brief, lasting only a short time, PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Mariton Bornas described it as “strong.”
The eruption has since ceased.
