Kanlaon Volcano Danger Zone Entry Suspended Again
BACOLOD CITY — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has once again suspended entry into Kanlaon Volcano’s six-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) starting June 24. This measure affects evacuees who rely on the area for farming and livelihood activities as volcanic activity shows signs of intensifying.
Donato Sermeno III, director of the OCD Negros Island Region and vice chairperson of Task Force Kanlaon, warned that the recent rise in earthquakes combined with a drop in sulfur dioxide emissions signals potential volcanic unrest. “Similar indicators were experienced prior to two previous eruptions,” he explained to local media.
Volcanic Activity Monitoring and Warnings
Previously, evacuees living outside the EDZ were permitted to enter the danger zone for about 10 hours daily to tend to their farms and animals, helping sustain their livelihoods. However, due to recent volcanic activity, this access has been halted to prioritize safety.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), monitoring from 5 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Tuesday recorded 67 volcanic earthquakes. Meanwhile, sulfur dioxide emissions dropped to 755 tons per day, a concerning sign that the volcano’s conduit may be blocked.
Phivolcs noted, “Explosive eruptions can be triggered by blocked conduits.” Such blockages can trap magma and gases, increasing eruption risks.
Heightened Alert Level and Safety Precautions
Kanlaon Volcano remains at Alert Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest with a higher chance of eruptions that could produce life-threatening hazards such as pyroclastic flows, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, and rockfalls.
Communities within six kilometers of the summit crater are urged to stay evacuated. Authorities emphasize the dangers posed by the volcano’s potential explosive activity and the importance of adhering to evacuation orders.
On May 13, the volcano experienced a moderately explosive eruption lasting five minutes, marking the fourth such event since June 2024. Local officials continue to closely monitor the situation and advise residents to stay vigilant.
For more news and updates on Kanlaon Volcano danger zone entry, visit Filipinokami.com.