THE PHILIPPINE Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has not raised the alert at Mt. Kanlaon, maintaining it at level 2, which means “moderate unrest,” after an ash spew Saturday morning, Dec. 9. A level 2 alert has been in place since Nov. 15. Phivolcs’ reported in its Dec. 10 bulletin: At 9:47 AM yesterday (Nov. 9), a low-energy phreatic (steam-driven) eruption occurred and was recorded as an explosion-type earthquake that lasted approximately ten (10) minutes. The event ejected dark ash and voluminous steam 3-4 kilometers above the summit vent and was accompanied by rumbling sound heard as far away as La Castellana, Negros Occidental.” The ashfall reached Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City; Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana; and Barangay Ilihan, Bago City, Negros Occidental. Phivolcs said there is “probable intrusion of magma at depth which may or may not lead to a magmatic eruption.” Phivolcs, an agency under the Department of Science and Technology, reiterated its call on local government units and the public to strictly observe the no-entry policy within the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone. Civil Aviation authorities have also been reminded to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the restive mountain volcano.

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