Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Jonathan Magistrado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1778453518707HH_Gd5VboAArSmz.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Phivolcs noted that while crater glow is a common precursor to magmatic eruptions at Mayon Volcano, its appearance at Kanlaon signals a potential shift in the volcano&#x27;s behavior.<em> Courtesy: Phivolcs</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alarm over a &quot;new development&quot; at Kanlaon Volcano after state volcanologists and local residents observed a visible crater glow, or banaag, for the first time on Sunday evening.</p><p>In a bulletin issued at 1:30 a.m. on Monday, May 11, the agency reported that the incandescence at the summit was spotted by the naked eye at approximately 7:00 p.m. on May 10.</p><p>The glow is caused by superheated volcanic gases—a phenomenon that has been detected by infra-red cameras since late 2024 but has only now become visible to the public.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PRECURSOR TO MAGMATIC ERUPTION</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Phivolcs noted that while crater glow is a common precursor to magmatic eruptions at Mayon Volcano, its appearance at Kanlaon signals a potential shift in the volcano&#x27;s behavior.</p><p>&quot;If crater glow becomes sustained and intensifies, this would indicate that magma is close to or at the crater,&quot; the agency warned. Such intensification could lead to a full-scale magmatic eruption within a matter of days.</p><p>Despite this visual development, other monitoring parameters have remained relatively stable since the volcano&#x27;s last moderate explosive eruption on March 15, 2026.</p><p>&quot;Since then, seismicity remained at the steady rate of six (6) volcano-tectonic earthquakes/day, while sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$) gas emissions based on campaign mDOAS measurements averaged 1,646 tonnes/day and have increased only slightly to 2,382 tonnes/day this past week,&quot; the bulletin stated.</p><p>&quot;Ground deformation parameters have been non-steady but still indicate a sustained and slow-rate inflation of the volcano edifice since 2022,&quot; the agency added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>THREAT OF ALERT LEVEL 3</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2 (Increasing Unrest). </p><p>However, authorities emphasized that the status could be escalated to Alert Level 3 should the crater glow intensify.</p><p>A magmatic eruption poses several life-threatening hazards, most notably Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs), also known locally as uson—fast-moving, lethal clouds of hot gas and volcanic debris. </p><p>Other risks include lava flows, ballistic volcanic rocks, and heavy ashfall.</p><p>With its 24-hour monitoring ongoing, Phivolcs has reiterated its recommendation to LGUs for the strict evacuation of all communities within the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).</p><p>Residents along river channels are urged to remain vigilant against the threat of lahars during intense rains. </p><p>A &quot;no-fly&quot; warning also remains in effect near the summit to avoid catastrophic aircraft engine failure from sudden ashfall.</p><div><br/></div><p>.</p>

<p>Phivolcs noted that while crater glow is a common precursor to magmatic eruptions at Mayon Volcano, its appearance at Kanlaon signals a potential shift in the volcano's behavior.</p>

Phivolcs noted that while crater glow is a common precursor to magmatic eruptions at Mayon Volcano, its appearance at Kanlaon signals a potential shift in the volcano's behavior.

Kanlaon exhibits first visible crater glow; Alert Level 3 escalation looms

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Kanlaon exhibits first visible crater glow; Alert Level 3 escalation looms

Jonathan Magistrado,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 11, 2026 06:52 AM PHT

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Kanlaon Volcano

crater glow

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