After a minor explosive eruption on 6 February 2025 that was followed by a pause in activity, an episode of significant ash emission occurred from the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano at 2:32 PM today, 15 February 2025. The event lasted for eight (8) minutes based on the seismic record and generated a plume that rose 1,500 meters above the crater before drifting to the west-northwest. Ashfall and sulfurous smells were reported in several localities of Bago City, Negros Occidental: Brgy. Mailum (Purok Lunao, Kakapihan I and II, Kamotihan I and II, Kalubihan II, Kasagingan, Kapahuan, Katubuhan and Rakel, Pili, Durar-og, Abacca, Humayan, Esperanza, Kawayanan, Tabidiao I and II; Brgy. Maao (Proper, Pandan); Brgy. Binubuhan (Purok Waterlily); Brgy. Abuanan (Purok Rose); Brgy. Dulao (Purok Reola); Brgy. Atipuluan (Purok Paglaum, Pagsilak, Riverside, Masinadyahon, Mainuswagon), and; Brgy. Ilijan (Purok Malungay B). Sulfurous smells were also reported in Brgy. Bacong, Bago City. Prior to the event, SO2 flux was measured today at an average of 2,625 tonnes/day, less than the medium-term average since 03 June 2024 of 4,440 tonnes/day, while degassing from the summit crater has been weak since 6 February 2025. The eastern upper slopes of the edifice have been undergoing inflation or swelling since 10 January 2025, while inflation-deflation cycles have been recorded on the western upper and eastern middle slopes for the same period. This ground deformation behavior likely results from occasional plugging and unplugging of the volcanic conduit, causing weakened degassing and eruptive activity at the crater respectively, a pattern of unrest that may be expected while similar levels of monitoring parameters persist.
Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) prevails over Kanlaon Volcano. This means that magmatic unrest could generate similar ash emission and even short-lived explosive eruptions in the short term which may generate life-threatening volcanic hazards. It is recommended that communities within a 6-km radius from the summit crater remain evacuated due to the danger of pyroclastic density currents or PDCs, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, rockfall and other related hazards. Local government units must continue to prepare their communities within the PDC hazard zone for subsequent evacuation in case unrest further escalates and hazardous worst-case explosive eruption becomes imminent. Increased vigilance against potential syn-eruption lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels draining the edifice is strongly advised should intense rains occur during eruptive unrest. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Kanlaon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.
DOST-PHIVOLCS