Villages in the Philippines are undergoing mass evacuations after a brief but powerful volcanic eruption

A unexpected and powerful volcanic eruption in the Philippines has forced thousands of people to evacuate their towns.

The short-lived but powerful eruption of Mount Kanlaon on Monday has prompted the evacuation of about 87,000 people in the central Philippines.

An immediate reaction was required as the volcano on Negros Island erupted a huge plume of ash into the sky and burst superheated gas and debris down its western slopes.

Although there were no reported injuries, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of the potential for future explosive eruptions and increased the alert level to three out of five.

Widespread regions, including Antique province, more than 200 kilometers to the west, were covered with volcanic ash, which made visibility difficult and presented health risks.

“It’s a one-time but major eruption,” Teresito Bacolcol, the chief volcanologist for the Philippines, said, adding that researchers are examining whether surging magma or trapped material near the summit triggered the explosion.

Almost 47,000 people are being evacuated from a six-kilometer danger zone in La Castellana in Negros Occidental, as well as other towns and villages close to Kanlaon’s western and southern slopes.

More than 6,000 inhabitants had moved to evacuation centers by Tuesday morning, and some were taking sanctuary with family members, Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised government support to evacuated families, pointing out that the social welfare secretary had taken a plane to the area early on Tuesday.

“The families who have been evacuated outside the six-kilometer danger zone have our full support,” Marcos said.

In order to detect any harmful volcanic gasses that might require more evacuations, the government is keeping a careful eye on the air quality. Along with preparing food and hygiene supplies, authorities have also set up evacuation shelters and distributed face masks.

A curfew is in place at night, and schools in regions that are at risk are still closed.

Monday afternoon’s eruption of Kanlaon lasted almost four minutes and produced a lethal rush of superheated gas, ash, and debris known as a pyroclastic density current.

Experts were concerned since the explosion was preceded by few warning earthquakes. The previous eruption of Kanlaon, one of the 24 most active volcanoes in the Philippines, occurred in June, momentarily uprooting hundreds of people.

The Philippines is extremely vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural calamities because of its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

The 1996 unexpected eruption of Kanlaon highlighted the continuous threats faced by the active volcano, killing three hikers and saving others.