Volcano Eruption Alert: Canlaon Volcano Remains at Alert Level 1

KANLAON VOLCANO BULLETIN 30 March 2016 8:00 A.M.

[Issued by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology – PHIVOLCS]

Two (2) minor eruption events occurred at Kanlaon Volcano’s active crater at around 6:20 PM and 7:18 PM of 29 March 2016 that lasted around 12 minutes and 25 seconds, respectively, based on visual observation and seismic recording. These events were recorded by the Kanlaon Seismic Network as explosion-type earthquakes. The first event was accompanied by a booming sound heard in Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy. Ara-al and Brgy. Yubo, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental and Brgy. Pula Canlaon City, Negros Oriental. From the southeastern side of the volcano, the eruption plume was observed to have reached 1500 meters above the active crater. Incandescent ejecta apparently caused small bushfire at the upper slope as observed from La Castellana. Traces of light ashfall were reported in Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental. The eruption was followed by two episodes of volcanic tremor from 10:38 PM 29 March to 00:26 AM 30 March and from 01:30 AM this morning to present (ongoing). Continuous GPS data as of 14 March 2016 indicated slight inflation of the Kanlaon edifice since December 2015.

Alert Level 1 status remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a state of unrest probably driven by hydrothermal processes that could generate more minor eruptions. The local government units and the public are reminded that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or minor ash eruptions. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as airborne ash from a sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Kanlaon Volcano’s activity and any new development will be relayed to all concerned.

Mayon Lava in Interesting Times!

Mayon Lava Flow Grows

Mayon at a ‘high level of unrest’ may experience  more dangerous explosions

Mt Mayon Spews Lava. Photo: Reuters. Image may be subject to copyright.

Mayon 5-level hazard alert raised to level 3 Tuesday after Mayon ejected ash and spewed lava.

According to Phivolcs, “Alert level 3 condition signifies magma is near the top of the crater and incandescent materials are now detaching. Mayon volcano is now at a ‘high level of unrest’ and may have more dangerous explosions.”

Quick fact about the latest episode of activity at Mt Mayon:

• Phivolcs Level 3 alert means an eruption is expected within days to weeks [Level 4 means an eruption is imminent, while level 5 means eruption is in progress.]
• Albay Governor Jose Salceda has declared “a state of imminent disaster” throughout the province, to allow the provincial government to access disaster funds needed to evacuate residents in Mayon’s danger zones.
• Phivolcs scientist, Alex Baloloy,  said, “a full blown eruption is expected to take place within weeks to days.”
• Baloloy said lava had cascaded down about 3 km from the crater summit of the volcano.
• By Monday Mayon had emitted about 800 tons of Sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas.

• The air in the region has been described as “hot and irritable” and “smelly.”
• After 23 volcanic quakes on Monday, 5 ash explosions occurred at the volcano generating a mix of brownish and grayish ash cloud.
• Phivolcs said it had recorded 78 volcanic earthquakes in the last 24 hours
• Philippines disaster management officials have now evacuated about 50,000 people from Tabaco City and the towns of Malipot, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan and Ligao near Mt Mayon, aiming for a “zero-casualty situation.”
• Schoolrooms within an 8-km radius of Mt Mayon have been suspended and used as evacuation shelters. [Let’s hope the schools are better built in the Philippines than they are in China.]

• Mayon has experienced more than 50 eruption in 400 years.
• The first recorded major eruption occurred in 1616.
• The most voluminous lava flow occurred in the 1766 eruption.
• Mayon’s most destructive eruption occurred on February 1, 1814. The volcano bombarded the town of Cagsa with tephra, burying all but the bell tower of the town’s church in about 9 m of ash. As many as 2,300 of Albay residents may have perished in the volcano’s deadliest eruption to date.
• Mayon erupted continuously for 7 days starting June 23, 1897. The village of Bacacay was buried in 15 m of lava. About 500 villagers were killed in the aftermath.

• In July, Fire Earth moderators said, “the Philippines should brace itself for major waves of seismic and volcanic activities in the coming weeks, months and years.”

Fire Earth Moderators believe more volcanic activities at other Philippines volcanoes are highly probable in the near future. The volcanoes located on the island on Mindanao are particularly liable to erupt in the next 12 to 36 months.

The moderators also believe a large eruption may occur at Taal volcano. For other related forecast, see links below and search blog contents.

Related Links:

• Mayon Volcano Oozes Lava
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes

• Mount Mayon neighbors on evacuation alert
• Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes

As per FEWW Forecast, Taal Volcano has begun seismic unrest significantly increasing the probability of  explosive eruptions

Taal Volcano Advisory

From: Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

28 August 2008 –  4:00 P.M.

This is to notify the public and concerned authorities on the ongoing seismic unrest at Taal Volcano.

The Taal seismic network recorded ten (10) volcanic earthquakes from 5:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. today. Two (2) of these quakes that occurred at 12:33 and 12:46 P.M. were both felt at intensity II by residents at barangay Pira-piraso. These quakes were accompanied by rumbling sounds. The events were located northeast of the volcano island near Daang Kastila area with depths of approximately 0.6km (12:33 P.M.) and 0.8km (12:46 P.M.)

Taal Volcano Seen through Lake Taal (Photo: Jhun Taboga)

A cinder cone in an acidic lake on Taal Volcano (Credit: JG Moore of the US Geological Survey)

Surface thermal observations however, did not indicate significant change in the thermal and steam manifestations of the Main Crater Lake area.

The increase in seismicity at Taal Volcano reflects a low-level episode of unrest. Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Taal Volcano. At present, no imminent eruption is indicated although the public is advised to observe some precautions. In this regard, PHIVOLCS reminds the general public that the Main Crater area is off-limits because steam explosions may suddenly occur. Other hazards within the Main Crater may be the build up of toxic gases in case of more pronounced volcanic reactivation. The northern portion of the Main Crater rim, in the vicinity of Daang Kastila Trail, may also be hazardous, when reactivated with steam emission and increased thermal activity. Furthermore, the public is reminded that Taal Volcano Island is a high-risk area and permanent danger zone, hence, habitation is strictly not recommended.

Related Links:

• Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

Mayon Volcano Advisory

August 10, 2008 – 12:00 P.M.

At 9:12 A.M. today, Mayon Volcano manifested mild ash explosion that reached an approximate height of 200 m above the summit crater before drifting east-northeast. The ash-ejection was recorded as explosion-type earthquake which lasted for one minute by the seismic network deployed around the volcano.Immediately after the explosion, visual observation becomes hampered by the thick clouds. During the past weeks, seismic activity had slightly increased and crater glow had slightly intensified. Precise leveling surveys conducted at Mayon from May 10 – 22, 2008 compared to February 17 – March 2, 2008 survey also showed inflation of the volcanic edifice.

The above observations show that Mayon Volcano is undergoing an episode of increased activity probably related to magma movement and post eruptive behavior of the volcano. Although no major eruption is indicated, steam and ash explosions may occur in the following days.

In view of the above, PHIVOLCS reiterates that Mayon Volcano’s status remains at Alert Level 1. The public, however, is reminded that the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) at the southeastern flank of the volcano and the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) at other areas remain off-limits due to the continuing threat from sudden small explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes. Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar-prone around the volcano should be avoided when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. PHIVOLCS is keeping a tight watch over Mayon and shall immediately report any significant development to all concerned.

Related Links:

• Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash

Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash

Mayon Volcano: ‘undergoing an episode of increased activity’

Mayon Volcano Advisory – PHIVOLCS

August 10, 2008 – 12:00 P.M.

At 9:12 A.M. today, Mayon Volcano manifested mild ash explosion that reached an approximate height of 200 m above the summit crater before drifting east-northeast. The ash-ejection was recorded as explosion-type earthquake which lasted for one minute by the seismic network deployed around the volcano. Immediately after the explosion, visual observation becomes hampered by the thick clouds. During the past weeks, seismic activity had slightly increased and crater glow had slightly intensified. Precise leveling surveys conducted at Mayon from May 10 – 22, 2008 compared to February 17 – March 2, 2008 survey also showed inflation of the volcanic edifice.

Mayon Volcano overlooks a pastoral scene some five months before the volcano’s violent eruption in September 1984. Ruins from a nearby church destroyed in an 1814 eruption are visible in the foreground. One of the climbing approaches to the 2,462 meter Mayon Volcano begins on the northwest slope near the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology research station. [Credit: Randy C. Bunney. Permission: CC-BY-SA-2.5. Source and Caption: Wikimedia Commons.]

Pyroclastic flows at Mayon Volcano, Philippines, 1984. Pyroclastic flows descend the south-eastern flank of Mayon Volcano, Philippines. Maximum height of the eruption column was 15 km above sea level, and volcanic ash fell within about 50 km toward the west. There were no casualties from the 1984 eruption because more than 73,000 people evacuated the danger zones as recommended by scientists of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. [Credit: C.G. Newhall, USGS.]

Mayon Volcano as seen from space. [NASA]

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The above observations show that Mayon Volcano is undergoing an episode of increased activity probably related to magma movement and post eruptive behavior of the volcano. Although no major eruption is indicated, steam and ash explosions may occur in the following days.
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In view of the above, PHIVOLCS reiterates that Mayon Volcano’s status remains at Alert Level 1. The public, however, is reminded that the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) at the southeastern flank of the volcano and the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) at other areas remain off-limits due to the continuing threat from sudden small explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes. Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar-prone around the volcano should be avoided when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. PHIVOLCS is keeping a tight watch over Mayon and shall immediately report any significant development to all concerned.

Advisory Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

Related Links:

– Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!