Mount Kanlaon, a towering volcano in the central Philippines, roared back to life on December 9th, 2024, at 3:03 p.m. local time. The dramatic eruption sent a massive plume of ash and gas soaring 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) into the atmosphere, a spectacle captured by thermal and X-ray cameras monitoring the volcano’s activity. This wasn’t just a gentle puff of smoke; the eruption unleashed terrifying pyroclastic density currents – fast-moving, ground-hugging flows of superheated ash and debris capable of traveling at hundreds of feet per second. These currents pose an extreme danger to anyone in their path.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the nation’s leading authority on volcanic activity, immediately responded to the event. Recognizing the immense threat, local government units swiftly issued evacuation orders, establishing a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius exclusion zone around Mount Kanlaon. A massive evacuation effort is underway, with an estimated 87,000 people being relocated to safety. This underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for widespread devastation.
PHIVOLCS scientists issued a stark warning, stating that the volcano ‘may progress to further explosive eruptions.’ This ominous prediction is based on a careful assessment of the volcano’s behavior. The agency has raised the alert level to Alert Level 3 – its highest classification of volcanic unrest and the third-highest on its overall scale. This level indicates a significant magmatic intrusion into the volcano’s shallow levels, signifying a heightened risk of a hazardous eruption within the coming weeks.
The current eruption isn’t a standalone event. For several weeks preceding the eruption, Mount Kanlaon had exhibited signs of unrest. Since October 19th, continuous degassing and occasional ash emissions have been observed at the summit crater. Furthermore, the number of daily earthquakes in the vicinity spiked from late November, ranging between five and 26 tremors daily, indicating a buildup of pressure beneath the surface.
This isn’t Kanlaon’s first eruption this year; it previously erupted on June 3, 2024. Its previous significant activity was in December 2017. Located in the central provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, Kanlaon is one of approximately two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines, known for its significant activity throughout history.
The British Geological Survey highlights the unpredictable and exceptionally dangerous nature of pyroclastic density currents, emphasizing that these flows represent perhaps the most hazardous aspect of explosive volcanic eruptions. PHIVOLCS continues its vigilant monitoring of these currents, particularly along the volcano’s southeastern flanks, to provide critical updates and aid in the ongoing evacuation efforts. The potential progression to Alert Level 4 (a low-level magmatic eruption) and ultimately Alert Level 5 (a highly hazardous major eruption) remains a serious concern, prompting the ongoing, large-scale evacuation and highlighting the immense power and unpredictable nature of volcanic activity. The situation remains fluid and requires constant monitoring and public vigilance.
