An episode of significant ash emission occurred from the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island at 2:32 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

In PHIVOLCS’ advisory at 6:30 p.m. on February 15, 2025, the event lasted for eight minutes based on seismic record, and generated a plume that rose 1,500 meters above the crater before drifting west-northwest.

Ashfall and sulfurous smells were reported in several localities of Bago City, Negros Occidental: Barangay Mailum (Purok Lunao, Kakapihan I and II, Kamotihan I and II, Kalubihan II, Kasagingan, Kapahuan, Katubuhan and Rakel, Pili, Durar-og, Abacca, Humayan, Esperanza, Kawayanan, Tabidiao I and II; Brgy. Maao (Proper, Pandan); Brgy. Binubuhan (Purok Waterlily); Brgy. Abuanan (Purok Rose); Brgy. Dulao (Purok Reola); Brgy. Atipuluan (Purok Paglaum, Pagsilak, Riverside, Masinadyahon, Mainuswagon); and Brgy. Ilijan (Purok Malunggay).

Sulfurous smells were also reported in Brgy. Bacong, Bago City.

Prior to the event, sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux was measured at an average of 2,625 tons a day, less than the medium-term average since June 3, 2024 of 4,440 tons a day, while degassing from the summit crater has been weak since February 6, 2025.

The eastern upper slopes of the edifice have been undergoing inflation or swelling since January 10, 2025, while inflation-deflation cycles have been recorded on the western upper and eastern middle slopes for the same period.

PHIVOLCS pointed out that the ground deformation behavior likely results from occasional plugging and unplugging of the volcanic conduit, causing weakened degassing and eruptive activity at the crater respectively, a pattern of unrest that may be expected while similar levels of monitoring parameters persist.

Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) prevails over Kanlaon Volcano. This means that magmatic unrest could generate similar ash emission and even short-lived explosive eruptions in the short term which may generate life-threatening volcanic hazards.

“It is recommended that communities within a 6-km radius from the summit crater remain evacuated due to the danger of pyroclastic density currents or PDCs, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, rockfall, and other related hazards.

“Local government units must continue to prepare their communities within the PDC hazard zone for subsequent evacuation in case unrest further escalates and hazardous worst-case explosive eruption becomes imminent.

“Increased vigilance against potential syn-eruption lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels draining the edifice is strongly advised should intense rains occur during eruptive unrest,”””according to PHIVOLCS.