A recent volcanic eruption on Mount Kanlaon in the Philippines has caused cold lava, known as “lahar,” to flow through a village miles away from the summit on Negros Island.
Residents captured images and videos of the grey mud and rocks flowing down a watercourse in Biaknabato village, leading to evacuations and flight cancellations.
The eruption also triggered a six-minute earthquake, suspending work and schools in nearby Canlaon City.
Authorities raised the alert level for Mt Kanlaon, warning of hazardous ash fall, sulphuric odour, flash floods, and mudflows downstream.
Cold lava, a cooled mixture of volcanic material, can be more destructive than conventional lava flows, crushing and burying objects in its path.
The Philippines is prone to volcanic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, with Mt Kanlaon being one of the country’s 24 active volcanoes.
In 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo resulted in hundreds of casualties, highlighting the risks associated with volcanic activity in the region.