The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported continuing eruptive activity at Kanlaon during 31 December 2024-6 January 2025. The seismic network recorded 23-45 daily volcanic earthquakes that, during 31 December-2 January and on 4 January, included 3-12 periods of volcanic tremor lasting four minutes to four hours and 42 minutes. Daily sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 3,406 to 5,840 tonnes per day. There were 5-8 daily period of ash emissions during 31 December-2 January, each as short as five minutes to as long as four hours and 24 minutes. The emissions were voluminous, rising 300-400 m above the summit and drifting W and NW. One ash emission lasting one hour and 51 minutes on 4 January produced voluminous plumes that rose 500 m above the summit and drifted SW. Gas-and-steam plumes during 3 and 5-6 January that were sometimes voluminous and continuous rose as high as 1.4 km above the summit and drifted NW, W, and SW.

The eruption continued to impact residents. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report issued at 0800 on 7 January stated that 13,246 people (4,070 families) were spread across 34 evacuation centers and another 7,458 people (2,351 families) were staying elsewhere. The report also stated that 34 cities were under a “state of calamity”, jobs continued to be affected, and some classes remained suspended. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 0-5); the public was warned to stay 6 km away from the summit and pilots were warned not to fly close to the volcano.

Geological Summary. Kanlaon volcano (also spelled Canlaon) forms the highest point on the Philippine island of Negros. The massive andesitic stratovolcano is covered with fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones and craters, many of which are filled by lakes. The largest debris avalanche known in the Philippines traveled 33 km SW from Kanlaon. The summit contains a 2-km-wide, elongated northern caldera with a crater lake and a smaller but higher active vent, Lugud crater, to the south. Eruptions recorded since 1866 have typically consisted of phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate size that produce minor local ashfall.

Sources: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)