3-6-2024 (MANILA) Residents near Mount Kanlaon on the central island of Negros were advised to wear facemasks and take necessary precautions as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert level for the volcano following an “explosive eruption” that sent a towering plume of ash, gas, and steam soaring five kilometres (three miles) into the sky.
The volcanic activity, which occurred shortly before 7:00 pm (1100 GMT) on Monday, was accompanied by a thunderous sound, according to eyewitness accounts from nearby communities. Ethan Asentista-Khoo, 35, a resident of Pula village situated near the volcano, described the scene vividly, “When it erupted, we heard a thunder-like sound. There was like a fire on the mouth of the volcano, which lasted around one to two minutes. I didn’t see any lava or rocks coming out.”
The Philippines, an archipelagic nation situated along the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is home to more than half of the world’s volcanoes, with 24 active volcanoes within its borders. Kanlaon, one of these formidable natural forces, has now captured the attention of authorities and residents alike following its recent explosive eruption.
