Kanlaon Volcano Erupts: Ash Plume Signals Volcanic Activity in the Philippines

A moderately explosive eruption from Kanlaon Volcano prompts alerts in the Philippines, highlighting the nation's vulnerability to volcanic activity.

HÀ NỘI – Early on the morning of May 13th, Kanlaon Volcano in the central Philippines erupted, sending a substantial gray ash plume approximately 3 kilometers into the sky. The eruption also launched ballistic projectiles, according to reports.

Kanlaon Volcano, one of the 24 active volcanoes within the Southeast Asian nation, has a history of eruptions over the past century, with the most recent event prior to this one occurring in April.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed a moderately explosive eruption at the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano at 2:55 a.m. The eruption was brief, lasting approximately five minutes. It produced a voluminous, grayish plume that ascended roughly 3 kilometers above the vent before dispersing westward.

The Philippines' location within the Pacific "Ring of Fire" makes it particularly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The devastating 1991 eruption of Pinatubo, located approximately 100 km from Manila, serves as a stark reminder of the potential impact, resulting in the loss of over 800 lives.