Kanlaon Volcano Erupts Another Ash Plume—But PHIVOLCS’ Latest Warning Has Authorities Watching Closely
NEGROS ISLAND, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano released another ash emission early Thursday, August 20, sending a grayish plume approximately 200 meters above the summit crater as the volcano continues to show signs of unrest.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the ash emission occurred at around 5:24 a.m. and was observed by the Nature's View Observation Station in Sitio Old Fabrica, La Castellana. The plume later crept downslope toward the east.
The latest activity comes as Alert Level 2, or Increased Unrest, remains in effect over Kanlaon. Under this alert status, PHIVOLCS prohibits entry into the volcano's 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and warns aircraft against flying close to the summit because sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions remain possible.
Kanlaon continues to show signs of unrest
The latest ash emission is part of a continuing pattern of volcanic activity observed at Kanlaon in recent weeks.
PHIVOLCS' monitoring for the 24-hour period ending Thursday recorded four volcanic earthquakes, while Kanlaon released about 1,386 tonnes of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) on Wednesday, according to reports citing the agency's monitoring data.
Just days earlier, Kanlaon produced several ash emissions. On August 15, PHIVOLCS reported ash plumes reaching about 200 meters above the summit, while five ash emissions had been observed during the preceding monitoring period. Seven volcanic earthquakes were also recorded, including volcanic tremors lasting several minutes.
The continuing activity has kept Kanlaon under close observation as authorities assess whether the volcano's unrest could intensify.
What Alert Level 2 means
Alert Level 2 does not automatically mean that a major eruption is underway. Instead, it indicates that the volcano is experiencing increased unrest and that conditions could potentially develop into more hazardous activity.
PHIVOLCS has repeatedly warned that Kanlaon may produce sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, which can occur with little warning. The agency therefore continues to enforce the 4-kilometer danger zone around the summit.
Kanlaon's recent history underscores why authorities continue to monitor the volcano closely. The volcano has experienced multiple eruptive episodes in recent years, including explosive activity that produced much larger ash plumes than the 200-meter emission observed Thursday. Reuters previously reported that a December 2024 eruption sent an ash cloud as high as about 4,000 meters and prompted authorities to raise the alert level.
Residents urged to remain vigilant
For communities around Kanlaon, the latest ash emission serves as another reminder that volcanic conditions can change quickly.
Residents and visitors are advised to follow official announcements from PHIVOLCS and local disaster-management authorities, stay outside the Permanent Danger Zone and avoid relying on unofficial social-media reports when making safety decisions.
For now, Alert Level 2 remains in place, and Thursday's 200-meter ash plume is being treated as another manifestation of Kanlaon's continuing volcanic unrest—not as confirmation of a major eruption.
Authorities will continue monitoring the volcano for changes in seismic activity, gas emissions, ash emissions and other indicators that could warrant further action.