Volcanic eruption in the Philippines
Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island Region, Philippines began erupting on June 3, 2024, when an explosive eruption from its summit vent spewed ash over parts of Bago, La Carlota, La Castellana and Canlaon. As a result, evacuations were ordered for five barangays near the volcano. Volcanic activity continued on December 9, with explosive eruptions generating a shockwave, and a plume visible as far away as the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Cebu. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 57,563 people were affected by the June 2024 eruption, with 3,905 displaced from their homes. Additionally, 2,680 houses were damaged. The estimated damage to the agricultural sector was US$3.07 million. Following the December 2024 eruption, the NDRRMC estimated that around 40,489 people in the Visayas were affected. The agricultural sector suffered an estimated loss of US$681,314, with of land impacted.
Volcanic activity.
Activity increases.
On March 11, 2020, PHIVOLCS raised the volcano's alert level from 0 to 1 due to its abnormal activities since March 9. 80 volcanic earthquakes were plotted since then. On June 21, the volcano showed some signs of increased unrest. By June 22, the volcano's activity continued, with a series of tectonic earthquakes ranging from 3.2 to 4.7. A total of 278 earthquakes was observed for a 72-hour period (from June 21, 8AM – June 24, 8AM), possibly related to the magmatic activity underneath the volcano. Earthquakes continued, with steam and fumarolic activity rising 200–300 meters above. PHIVOLCS reminded the public to stay away to the 4-km PDZ (Permanent Danger Zone) around the volcano, as abnormal conditions and sudden phreatic explosions might occur.
June–December 2024 eruption.
On June 3, 2024, PHIVOLCS raised the alert level of Kanlaon from alert level 1 to alert level 2, indicating increasing unrest after an explosive eruption occurred on its summit vent at 6:51 p.m. PST. The eruption produced a voluminous and incandescent plume that rose above the vent and a probable short pyroclastic flow of approximately 2-3 km down the south and southeastern slopes of the volcano. The eruption lasted for six minutes and was followed by a relatively strong volcanic earthquake. Sulfurous odors and ashfall were reported by communities on the western slope of the volcano, particularly in Bago, La Carlota, La Castellana and Canlaon, and as far as Bacolod, away. Particles from the volcano were deposited in the form of haze as far as the Bicol Region. On June 5, rains triggered lahar flows in La Castellana.
On July 15, 2024, PHIVOLCS issued a notice regarding the increasing swelling of Kanlaon's edifice, which has been persisting since mid-June. PHIVOLCS noted that this ongoing ground deformation could indicate magmatic intrusion, potentially increasing the likelihood of eruptive activity. Increased activity was recorded by PHIVOLCS in September, starting with a series of volcano-tectonic earthquakes on September 9. On September 10, Kanlaon produced its highest volume of sulfur dioxide emissions since 2009, at 9,985 tonnes, prompting PHIVOLCS to raise concern over its possible first magmatic eruption since 1902. The record was surpassed the next day, when 11,556 tons of sulfur dioxide was emitted. On October 19, 2024, the summit crater of the volcano exhibited continuous degassing, along with occasional weak ash emissions. PHIVOLCS recorded twenty-eight instances of ash emissions, ranging from four minutes to one hour and eighteen minutes in duration, producing grayish plumes that rose above the summit and drifted to the west. On October 28, PHIVOLCS reported that sulfur dioxide gas emissions from the summit crater of Kanlaon totaled 10,074 tonnes, making it the fifth highest emission recorded from the volcano since instrumental gas monitoring began. Late on October 31, sixty-four volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 0.9 to 2.9, occurring at depths of . 
Before the December eruption, PHIVOCS noted a significant decrease in summit emissions, with the average sulfur dioxide level dropping to 1,669, and only six minor volcano-tectonic earthquakes were detected, with no significant seismic activity observed leading up to the eruption. On December 9, PHIVOLCS raised the alert level of Kanlaon from level 2 to level 3 after an explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent at 3:03 p.m. The eruption produced a large plume that rose above the vent and drifted west-southwest, with pyroclastic flow moving down the south-southeastern side of the volcano. A resident volcanologist from PHIVOLCS stated that a shockwave was also heard. Ashfall was recorded in Canlaon as well as in ten municipalities and cities of Negros Occidental, and affected other islands such as Guimaras and Panay, particularly in southern Iloilo and Antique. The volcanic plume was visible as far as Iloilo City and Toledo, Cebu. On December 23, PHIVOLCS issued a notice stating that dark ash had been emitted from the summit of Kanlaon Volcano, accompanied by weak, low-frequency volcanic earthquakes. This activity had produced a dark plume approximately tall, drifting to the northwest, and ash emissions continued the following day. On December 25, PHIVOLCS reported an increase in sulfur dioxide emissions from Kanlaon Volcano, measuring 6,014 tons compared to 3,585 tons on the previous day. Elevated sulfur dioxide emissions are typically associated with rising magma and may indicate the potential for further volcanic activity.
January 2025 activity.
On January 11, PHIVOLCS issued a significant warning about increased ground swelling and pressurization in Kanlaon. PHIVOLCS stated that these changes were similar to the conditions observed prior to the volcano's eruption in December 2024.
Response.
During the June 2024 eruption, evacuations were ordered in Canlaon for five barangays near the volcano and communities located along rivers flowing from the volcano, as well as in La Carlota and La Castellana. A mask mandate was also imposed in San Carlos. At least 4,752 people were displaced, while offices in Canlaon were ordered closed on June 4. Authorities in Negros Occidental were also placed on heightened alert, with ashfall warnings declared in Canlaon, La Carlota and La Castellana. At least 29 flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as in Iloilo, Cebu, Kalibo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and San Jose Airports were cancelled due to the eruption. At least 248 people were evacuated in Canlaon. On June 4, several flights were cancelled and a mandatory emergency evacuation within a 3-kilometer radius was ordered. Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said that 23,622 residents of five barangays were affected. President Bongbong Marcos assured that the government is prepared to offer support to those impacted by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
Following the December 2024 eruption, PHIVOLCS instructed local government units to evacuate residents within a 6-kilometer radius of the volcano's summit and to prepare for possible additional evacuations if the volcanic activity increased. Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas advised residents in affected areas to prepare for mandatory evacuations. As a precaution, classes and work in local government offices were suspended, and a curfew was imposed, with all establishments required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Additionally, a liquor ban was enforced. Several flights were cancelled at Iloilo International Airport. A health advisory was issued in Toledo, Cebu due to air pollution risks caused by the eruption. The Office of Civil Defense said that around 87,000 people had to be evacuated, with 46,900 of them living in La Castellana. A price freeze was imposed in Negros Occidental to curb "predatory pricing" by businesses and prevent the hoarding of goods. A tent city was established in Himamaylan to house displaced residents in the event of an escalation. The Babaylan Festival dance ritual competition scheduled on February 19, 2025, was cancelled by the city government of Bago, citing Kanlaon's activity.
Impact and aftermath.
The town of La Castellana lost ₱ , during the eruption, and the city of Canlaon lost ₱ . The eruption impacted the inflation rate from 4.1 percent to 4.3 percent after the eruption. 29 flights were cancelled during the eruption. A state of calamity was declared in Canlaon and La Castellana. Around 23,000 hectares of sugarcane fields in Negros Island were affected by the eruption, while a curfew and water rationing was imposed in La Carlota and La Castellana due to sulfur contamination in regular sources. On June 18, 2024, La Castellana was given permission for more than 400 evacuees to return to their homes. Affected families were given food, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen kits, which was worth ₱ by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Canlaon was given ₱ in financial aid, and La Castellana was given ₱ .
As of September 22, 2024[ [update]], the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the June 2024 volcanic eruption affected 57,563 people, displacing 3,905 individuals and damaging 2,680 homes. The agricultural sector suffered an estimated loss of ₱ , with of land impacted. Following the December 2024 eruption, the NDRRMC estimated that around 46,259 people in the Visayas were affected and reported that assistance and relief goods worth ₱ , had been distributed to the affected families. The agricultural sector suffered an estimated loss of ₱33.55 million (US$681,314.14), with of land impacted. According to the NDRRMC, a state of calamity has been declared in 31 cities and municipalities due to the severe impact of the volcanic eruption.
References.
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