Philippines: Mount Kanlaon volcano (Negros Island) under close watch due to seismic activity June 21-22

Event

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is closely monitoring the Mount Kanlaon volcano on Negros Island on Monday, June 22, after a series of earthquakes were recorded at the volcano. The earthquakes began on Sunday, June 21, and at least 81 earthquakes were recorded in a ten-hour period from 02:00 (local time) on Monday. The largest earthquake was 4.7-magnitude, and there are fears that the quakes could be a precursor to an explosive eruption. Phivolcs raised an Alert level 1 for the volcano in March due to seismic activity, which includes a 4 km (2.5 mi) exclusion zone around the crater.

A sudden phreatic or steam-driven eruption is possible in the coming hours or days, which could threaten communities in the surrounding area.

Advice

Individuals present in the affected area are advised to avoid the vicinity of the volcano, monitor the situation, anticipate transportation disruptions, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders).