Volcano in the Philippines erupted, releasing an ash column into the atmosphere.
Philippines' Active Volcano Kanlaon Springs to Life Again
HÀ NỘI - The infamous Kanlaon Volcano in the heart of the Philippines has erupted once more, spreading a massive ash cloud into the sky on the morning of May 13.
Nestled on Negros Island, Kanlaon - one of the 24 active volcanoes Spain's colonial past bestowed upon the Southeast Asian nation - has been prone to outbursts throughout its history. Its most recent eruption occurred just last month, in April.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported a moderately explosive eruption at Kanlaon's summit crater at 2:55 a.m., lasting five tremulous minutes. This latest burst spewed a towering ash plume some 3 kilometers high into the sky, while launching ballistic projectiles[1].
The Philippines resides in the notorious Pacific "Ring of Fire," an region susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The region's most forceful volcanic explosion in recent years occurred in 1991, when Pinatubo, positioned roughly 100km from Manila, erupted, costing over 800 lives[2].
Recent Activity of Kanlaon Volcano
- April 8, 2025: An explosive eruption sprang forth from Kanlaon Volcano in the wee hours of April, stubbornly belching ash over numerous cities on Negros Island. Lasting about five minutes, the eruption generated a mammoth gray-tinted plume that soared nearly three miles above before showering surrounding communities with ash[3].
- May 13, 2025: The eruption on May 13 unfolded at 02:55 AM, producing a 7 kilometer ash cloud and pyroclastic flows[4][1].
Aftermath
Alarmingly, both eruptions resulted in considerable ashfall engulfing nearby communities, including Negros Occidental[3][4]. The PHIVOLCS suggested local residents adopt preventative measures against inhaling ash[3][4]. After the April eruption, they advised evacuating communities residing within a 3.7-mile radius of the summit crater[3]. The May 13 eruption also emboldened authorities to lift alert levels[1][4].
Environmental repercussions included substantial damage to vegetation around the summit, as ejected ballistic fragments burned it to a crisp[3]. Potential hazards extend beyond simply inhaling ash, encompassing sudden explosive eruptions, lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, and lahars during heavy rainfall[4]. Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the situation.
[1] https://push.abs-cbn.com/article/news/power/2023/may/13/kanlaon-volcano-erupts-as-alert-level-2-raised
[2] https://national geographic.com/encyclopedia/MT-Pinatubo
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanlaon_Volcano#2023_eruption
Kanlaon Volcano erupts on early May 13, spewing ash plume into the sky. Photo: Guardian News
[4] https://phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/kane/monitoring/state-of-the-volcano.php?volcano=Kanlaon
[5] https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/phivolcs-issues-alert-level-2-kanlaon-volcano-due-steam-driven-erosions
- Artificial Intelligence: As the environment is significantly affected by volcanic eruptions, an AI system could be developed to predict and alert relevant authorities of potential hazards related to Kanlaon Volcano, contributing to improvements in health and wellness by minimizing negative impacts on affected communities.
- Science: The ongoing eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano offer an opportunity for medical-conditions research, as investigations into the effects of ashfall on human health can help us understand and mitigate similar risks associated with environmental science catastrophes like wildfires or dust storms.
- Space and Astronomy: The towering ash plumes created by Kanlaon's eruptions could be monitored using satellite imagery, allowing scientists to study the evolution of these plumes and assess their impact on climate dynamics, thus contributing to our broader understanding of atmospheric processes within environmental science.
