No-fly zone over Kanlaon Volcano in effect until morning of Nov. 26

Residents look towards the Kanlaon volcano in Kanlaon, Negros island. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) extended until Thursdaymorning its notice to airmen (NOTAM) advising pilots to stay clear of restive Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island.

In issuing the NOTAM on Tuesday, CAAP cited the danger posed by sudden phreatic eruptions or steam explosions from the volcano, which has been in a period of unrest since Monday night.

Kanlaon Volcano, among the country’s most active, spewed out steam and an ash plume on Monday night, causing Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)  to raise the level 1 alert.

According to CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio, the NOTAM will take effect until 9 a.m. Thursday and may still be extended depending on the volcano’s behavior as well as the Phivolcs advisory.

On Monday night, the volcano exhibited phreatic explosions, which lasted for eight minutes, and spewed out a kilometer-high ash plume.

Kanlaon Volcano has erupted 26 times since 1919 and its eruptions have been characterized mostly by phreatic explosions and ash fall.  SFM