The end of the world in the Philippines: Vulkan Karlaon breaks out!

The end of the world in the Philippines: Vulkan Karlaon breaks out!

Kanlaon, Philippinen - The Vulkan Karlaon on the Philippines broke out unexpectedly today, on April 8, 2025. The beginning of the eruption was registered in the early morning (local time) and led to an impressive ash column that reached a height of around 4,000 meters. Pyroclastic currents consist of lava, ash and hot gases were observed on the southern slopes of the volcano. The Kanlaon, which is more than 2,400 meters high, is located in the province of Negros Occidental and is around 530 kilometers south of Manila. It is considered the most active volcano of the central philippines and is a popular destination for cliffs and hikers.

The recent eruptions are reminiscent of an incident from 1996, in which three climbers lost their lives. The current outbreak has already led to the closure of schools in several villages, and the ash rain causes further significant impairments. The authorities have blocked the airspace over the region for pilots. According to the official warnings, the alarm level for Kanlaon at level 3 on a scale of 5. Already at the end of last year, an outbreak led to the evacuation of thousands of people, and it is again expected to increase the evacuations.

earthquake activity and geological risks

The Philippines are located on the Pacific fire ring, a geologically active zone that is known for frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. According to the current earthquake statistics, 3,265 earthquakes have been registered worldwide in the last 48 hours, including 9 quakes with a thickness of over 5. These numbers give an insight into the seismic activity that is omnipresent in the region.

The average earthquake activity of the past 25 years is around 430,000 quakes per year worldwide. The Philippines themselves already recorded 4,309 earthquakes this year. Compared to other earthquake -prone countries such as Japan with 39,532 tremors or Greece with 34,291, the frequency of earthquake on the Philippines is evident, especially in the context of the latest volcanic activity.

conclusion and outlook

The situation around the Vulkan Karlaon remains tense. The authorities face the challenge of protecting the population and monitoring the situation. The danger from volcanic eruptions and earthquakes is omnipresent in the Philippines, which underlines the importance of early warning systems and emergency plans. The risk for the population can only be minimized through such comprehensive preparation.