The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported continuing eruptive activity at Kanlaon during 28 January-3 February. The seismic network recorded 5-16 daily volcanic earthquakes that, during 30 January-3 February, included 2-7 periods of volcanic tremor lasting two minutes to two hours and five minutes; volcanic tremor was not detected during 28-29 January. Average daily sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 1,691 to 4,975 tonnes per day. Gas-and-steam emissions and those occasionally containing ash rose as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted NW, W, and SW. Weather clouds prevented views on 29 January.

The eruption continued to impact residents. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report issued at 0800 on 2 February stated that 9,834 people (3,107 families) were spread across 23 evacuation centers and another 8,388 people (2,662 families) were staying elsewhere. 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)