Mount Kanlaon Erupts!

Have you ever witnessed a volcanic eruption? What could be the impact on the surrounding areas?
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has confirmed the eruption of Mount Kanlaon in Negros, releasing a plume that soared 5,000 meters into the sky.
According to Phivolcs, the eruption lasted for six minutes starting at 6:51 PM, followed by strong volcanic-tectonic earthquakes.
Mount Kanlaon erupted on Monday night, prompting the alert level to be raised to 2 and causing ashfall in some parts of Negros Occidental.
The public is advised to avoid the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone and stay away from areas likely to be affected by ashfall from the eruption.
Mount Kanlaon, also known as Kanlaon Volcano and Kanlaon Peak, is an active stratovolcano and the highest mountain on Negros Island. It is also the tallest peak in the Visayas, standing at 2,465 meters above sea level. Mount Kanlaon ranks as the 42nd highest island peak in the world.
"We have received reports of sulfur smells and ashfall in communities on the western side of the volcano, and we are currently verifying these reports," said Ma. Antonia Bornas, Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief, in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
Residents around the volcano, including those from La Castellana, La Carlota City, and Canlaon City, are reminded to prepare and take precautions against ashfall.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is coordinating with its regional counterparts in Western Visayas and Central Visayas regarding the effects of the volcanic activity.
"We are receiving reports of evacuation activities in Negros Occidental. Response teams are being deployed in the affected areas to move residents to safe places," said the OCD.
"The Provincial DRRMO of Negros Occidental has also raised its Alert Level Status to BLUE and activated its response clusters," the OCD added.
"As we speak, this situation is still manageable at the level of the local DRRMOs, but we are on full alert and ready to provide necessary assistance if needed. We will provide continuous updates," the agency stated.
What Now?
As we wait for further updates, several pressing questions remain:
How long will this eruption last?
What are the effects on children and workers in the area?
Is it safe to live near the volcano during this time?
What precautions should residents take to protect themselves from the ashfall?
How will this eruption impact the local economy and daily life?
Stay tuned for more information and take the necessary safety measures to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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