Bacolod: The minor explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island on Oct. 24 was part of the activity consistent with the volcano's Alert Level 2 status, as stated by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bacolcol explained that the recent activity, which included an ash emission on Saturday following the eruption on Friday, is part of the ongoing volcanic processes of Kanlaon. Since June, there have been 19 ash emission activities, including the three that occurred last Saturday. These activities are indicative of Kanlaon's Alert Level 2 status, reflecting a moderate level of volcanic unrest with elevated levels of volcanic earthquakes, steam/gas emissions, ground deformation, and hot spring temperature.

Phivolcs interprets these signs as a probable intrusion of magma at depth, which could potentially lead to a magmatic eruption. Bacolcol mentioned that if the monitoring parameters worsen consistently, the alert level might be raised to Level 3. Conversely, if there is a decrease in these parameters, it could be lowered to Alert Level 1.

The three-minute explosive eruption last Friday was the fifth occurrence since last year. Previous eruptions took place on June 3 and Dec. 9 of the prior year, prompting Alert Level 3 at the time, followed by two more eruptions on Feb. 6 and May 13 of the current year. Last July 29, Phivolcs downgraded Kanlaon Volcano's status from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 due to less frequent volcanic earthquakes, decreased gas emissions, and ground deformation cycles.