Vulcan Kanlaon breaks out: 4000 meter high ash column over the Philippines!

Vulcan Kanlaon breaks out: 4000 meter high ash column over the Philippines!

Kanlaon, Philippinen - on April 8, 2025 at 5:51 a.m. local time there was a huge outbreak of the Vulkan Karlaon in the Philippines. The eruption lasted almost an hour and was accompanied by an ash column that reached a height of 4000 meters. The volcano is located in the province of Negros Occidental, about 530 kilometers south of Manila. The violent volcanic activities led to pyroclastic streams, which were found in a radius of one kilometer around the crater and to large rocks that were thrown over hundreds of meters.

In the immediate vicinity of the volcano, vegetation fires occurred, which further tightened the danger Situation. Due to the ash rains, schools in several villages were temporarily closed, and the airspace over the region was closed to protect passengers. The alarm level for the Kanlaon was set at level three out of five, which is a serious warning. Additionally, the Filipino Vulkanological Authority Phivolcs, warned of possible further eruptions, including the risk of lavaeruptions.

volcanic activity and evacuations

Alarm level three has been in effect since December 9, 2024, when the volcano broke out for the last time. At that time, many residents had been forced to leave their houses and have been housed in evacuation centers to this day. The Kanlaon is considered the most active volcano in the central philippines and has recorded more than 40 outbreaks since 1866

The Philippines are on the Pacific Feuerring , a geologically active zone that is known for their frequent volcanic activities and earthquakes. This volcanic bundle extends over a length of around 40,000 kilometers and comprises around 850 to 1,000 active volcanoes. About 90 percent of the global earthquakes and two thirds of all volcanic eruptions of the Holocene have their origin in the fire ring.

The fire ring is a result of complex movements and collisions of lithospheric plates and has existed for more than 35 million years. It runs along the Pacific coasts of South America, North America and Kamchatka and runs over numerous islands in the western Pacific. The area is a hotspot for seismic activities and about 76 percent of the seismic energy of the earth are released here.

The current situation around the Kanlaon clearly shows the dangers associated with the location on the Pacific fire ring, and the need for continuous monitoring and early warning systems.