MANILA, Philippines — The Kanlaon Volcano in Negros province is actively erupting, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported Monday.

In its afternoon bulletin, Phivolcs said that the explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano at 3:03 PM. 

“The eruption produced a voluminous plume that rapidly rose to 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southwest,” the bureau said.

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) have been observed flowing down the southeastern slope, as recorded by IP and thermal cameras.

The agency has raised the alert status of Kanlaon Volcano from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest).

This indicates that a magmatic eruption has started, with the potential to escalate into more explosive activity. 

Local government units are advised to evacuate residents within a 6-kilometer radius of the volcano’s summit and prepare for further evacuations if necessary, it said.

Earlier today, PHIVOLCS reported that Kanlaon Volcano experienced six volcanic earthquakes and a 16-minute ash emission event. 

On Sunday, the volcano emitted 4,638 tons of sulfur dioxide and produced a moderate ash plume rising 30