A volcano erupted in the central Philippines on Monday, spewing a massive ash column into the sky as authorities urged the evacuation of nearby villages. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the Kanlaon Volcano experienced an explosive eruption at its summit vent at 3:03 PM local time (0703 GMT). The ash plume soared 3,000 meters (8,200 feet) above the crater and drifted west-southwest. The eruption was preceded by a strong volcano-tectonic earthquake, along with reports of coarse ash fall and sulfuric odors in communities on the mountain’s western slopes. Two minor volcanic earthquakes were also detected. Phivolcs raised the alert level for the 2,435-meter (7,988-foot) volcano, which spans the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, warning of the potential for a more intense explosive eruption.
According to the state civil defense agency, there have been no reports of missing people or injuries since the eruption, which lasted about six minutes. The mayor of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental province ordered the evacuation of four barangays — villages or neighborhoods — in the danger zone around Kanlaon’s summit. The provincial health office asked residents to wear face masks because a fine particulate ejected by the eruption can cause respiratory illnesses.
Transport disruptions are likely in the area, especially during periods of significant ashfall. Road conditions could quickly deteriorate during ash events because the abrasive material reduces visibility and makes roads slippery, officials warn. Travelers should seek updated information about road conditions and avoid areas affected by ash to limit exposure, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory problems. They should drink only bottled water as the sulfur in the ash can contaminate local drinking water.
The Philippine archipelago sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where volcanoes and earthquakes are common. It has more than 24 active volcanoes, including the active Mount Pinatubo. The nation’s last major eruption was in 1991. The Philippines lies on the boundary of two seismically active plates — the Pacific’s Eurasian Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate. Tsunamis regularly strike the country. Last year, a tsunami that hit the Visayas region killed more than 5,200 people. The country has a population of 125 million. In addition to the natural disasters, it has suffered from years of political turmoil and a devastating ongoing separatist insurgency in the south. The government has made a series of promises to address the poverty and inequality that plague many rural communities where the majority of Filipinos live. It has vowed to boost agricultural productivity and encourage more small businesses while improving education, health care, and infrastructure.