The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported continuing eruptive activity at Kanlaon during 18-24 February. The seismic network recorded 3-33 daily volcanic earthquakes. Average daily sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 1,542 to 6,534 tonnes per day. Gas-and-steam emissions that were mainly diffuse rose as high as 150 m above the summit and drifted W and SW during 18-19 and 21-22 February; plumes occasionally contained ash on 19 and 22 February. On 22 February an ash emission that lasted about 12 minutes long generated plumes that rose 300 m and drifted SW. 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.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)