Volcano’s ‘Explosive’ Eruption Sparks Emergency Evacuations

A massive stratovolcano in the Philippines has erupted Monday, spewing out a smoke column 10,000 feet high, after a raft of volcanic earthquakes. People living within 3.7 miles of Kanlaon volcano, located in the central provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, have been evacuated from their homes. About 54,000 people could be affected by the eruption, according to Reuters. The 8,000-foot volcano had been threatening to blow since its last eruption in June, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has now raised its alert level to its third highest stage. The agency called the incident an “explosive eruption.” Pyroclastic flow has been observed moving down the volcano’s south-eastern section. Several volcanic earthquakes rocked the area in the lead up to the blast at around 3pm. Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has warned residents to prepare for forced evacuations as government offices shut and a curfew is implemented. A liquor ban has also been put in place.