Description

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Context

Mount Kanlaon one of Philippines most active volcanoes erupted highlighting seismic vulnerability of regions within Pacific Ring of Fire & importance of disaster preparedness.

Mount Kanlaon

Feature	Description
Location	North central part of Negros Island Philippines
Geographic Coordinates	Approximately 10.4°N, 123.1°E
Type	Stratovolcano large, steep sided volcano built by many layers of hardened lava, tephr & volcanic ash
Volcanic Arc/Belt	Part of Negros Volcanic Belt situated within Pacific Ring of Fire
Elevation	2,465 meters (8,087 feet) above sea level
Crater Structure	Elongated northern caldera with a crater lake Smaller, but higher active crater to south
Volcanic Composition	Sheeted lava flows, lahar deposits, airfall tephra & pyroclastic aprons from past eruptions
Crater Dimensions	Active southern crater: ~2 km wide Northern caldera: broader containing a seasonal lake
Volcanic Features	Multiple pyroclastic cones, volcanic domes & craters within & around summit
Biological Significance	Rich biodiversity hotspot Hosts endemic species of flora & fauna Protected area as a Natural Park
Hydrological Importance	Source of major rivers including Bago & Magballo Provides watershed services for Negros Island
Eruption Style	Typically phreatic explosions (steam-driven), sometimes Strombolian
Historical Eruptions	Recorded since 1866; eruptions generally involve ash clouds & minor ashfall
Recent Eruptions	December 2024 April 2, 2025 (ash plume 4 km high, Alert Level 3)
Hazards	Ashfall, lahars, pyroclastic flows, volcanic gases, potential lava fountaining
Nearby Populations	Towns & villages within 4–6 km danger zone; periodic evacuations
Monitoring Agency	PHIVOLCS Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology
Protected Status	Designated as part of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP)

24 Active Volcanoes of Philippines (PHIVOLCS List)

Volcano Name	Location	Elevation (m)	Last Known Eruption
Mayon	Albay, Luzon	2,462	2023
Taal	Batangas, Luzon	311	2022
Kanlaon	Negros Island	2,465	2025
Bulusan	Sorsogon, Luzon	1,565	2022
Hibok-Hibok	Camiguin Island	1,332	1952
Smith Volcano	Babuyan Islands	688	1924
Babuyan Claro	Babuyan Islands	1,000	1860
Didicas	Cagayan	244	1978
Cagua	Cagayan	1,133	1860
Iraya	Batanes	1,009	~1454
Pinatubo	Zambales	1,486	1991
Arayat	Pampanga	1,026	Unconfirmed
Makaturing	Lanao del Sur	1,940	1882
Matutum	South Cotabato	2,286	1911
Parker	South Cotabato	1,824	1641
Ragang	Lanao del Sur	2,815	1916
Apo	Davao	2,954	Fumarolic
Musuan	Bukidnon	646	1886
Biliran	Biliran Island	1,340	1939
Leonard Kniaseff	Davao del Norte	1,190	120 AD (est.)
Malindang	Misamis Occidental	2,404	Unknown
Cuernos de Negros	Negros Island	1,186	Unknown
Mandalagan	Negros Island	1,885	Unknown
Latukan	Lanao del Sur	2,280	Unknown

PHIVOLCS Volcanic Alert Levels

Alert Level	Description	Recommended Actions
0	Normal No volcanic activity	No action needed
1	Low level unrest	Entry into permanent danger zone not advised
2	Increasing unrest	Evacuation of danger zone recommended
3	Increased tendency toward hazardous eruption	High alert, evacuation within 6 km radius
4	Hazardous eruption imminent	Full evacuation, emergency measures in place
5	Hazardous eruption in progress	Catastrophic situation – all mitigation & emergency responses active

PHIVOLCS

Feature	Details
Full Name	Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology
Parent Organization	Department of Science & Technology (DOST)
Headquarters	Quezon City, Philippines
Functions	Monitoring volcanoes, earthquakes & tsunamis in Philippines
Tools Used	Seismic sensors, satellite imagery, drone surveys, gas emission tools
Key Programs	Volcano Alert System, Earthquake Monitoring, Hazard Mapping
Public Communication	Alert Bulletins, Risk Advisories, Evacuation Warnings
International Cooperation	With USGS, JMA (Japan) & global volcano research bodies

Volcanic Belts in Pacific Ring of Fire

Volcanic Belt	Location	Key Features	Notable Volcanoes
Andean Volcanic Belt	Along western edge of South America (Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina)	Formed due to subduction of Nazca Plate beneath South American Plate	Cotopaxi, Ojos del Salado, Llaima, Villarrica
Central American Volcanic Arc	Southern Mexico through Central America	Result of Cocos Plate subducting beneath Caribbean Plate	Fuego, Arenal, Pacaya, Momotombo
Cascadia Volcanic Arc	Pacific Northwest of USA & Canada	Caused by Juan de Fuca Plate subducting under North American Plate	Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Hood
Alaska-Aleutian Volcanic Arc	Alaska & Aleutian Islands	Created by Pacific Plate subducting under North American Plate	Mount Redoubt, Mount Shishaldin, Mount Katmai
Kuril–Kamchatka Arc	Russian Far East (Kuril Islands to Kamchatka Peninsula)	Subduction of Pacific Plate beneath Okhotsk Plate	Klyuchevskoy, Shiveluch, Bezymianny
Japan Arc	Japanese islands	Formed by subduction of Pacific & Philippine Sea Plates under Eurasian Plate	Mount Fuji, Sakurajima, Aso
Ryukyu Arc	Southern Japan to Taiwan	Result of Philippine Sea Plate subducting under Eurasian Plate	Suwanosejima, Iriomote, Kikai
Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc	South of Japan to Micronesia	Formed by Pacific Plate subducting under Philippine Sea Plate	Mount Pagan, Agrihan, Anatahan
Philippine Volcanic Arc	Philippines	Due to multiple plate interactions (Philippine Sea, Eurasian, Pacific plates)	Mayon, Taal, Mount Kanlaon
Sunda Arc (Indonesia)	Indonesia & part of Southeast Asia	Created by Indo-Australian Plate subducting beneath Eurasian Plate	Mount Merapi, Krakatoa, Mount Tambora
New Guinea–Solomon Arc	Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands	Formed by complex microplate & subduction dynamics	Ulawun, Manam, Bagana
Tonga–Kermadec Arc	Tonga & Kermadec Islands	Subduction of Pacific Plate under Indo-Australian Plate	Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai, Monowai
New Zealand Volcanic Zone	North Island of New Zealand	Includes Taupo Volcanic Zone, formed by subduction of Pacific Plate	Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro, White Island (Whakaari)

For more information, please refer to IAS GYAN

Sources:

REPUBLIC WORLD

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss tectonic settings of Pacific Ring of Fire & examine how they contribute to distribution of active volcanoes & seismic activity around Pacific Ocean basin.