Increased ash emissions, volcanic quakes recorded in Kanlaon

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THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday reported an increase in the number of ash emissions and volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano.

In a bulletin, Phivolcs said it recorded 14 ash emission events from the restive volcano last Saturday, compared to just two on Friday.

Ash emissions ranged from two to 65 minutes long, it added.

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The agency also said it recorded 35 volcanic earthquakes on Saturday, compared to 15 the previous day.

The volcano’s sulfur dioxide emission was measured at 2,413 tons, down from 3,028 tons on Friday.

The sulfur dioxide emission produced a 900-meter-tall plume, Phivolcs added.

The number of volcanic quakes, sulfur dioxide emissions and ash emissions have been fluctuating since the volcano had an “explosive eruption” last December 9.

The eruption prompted authorities to raise the volcano’s alert status to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest), from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) and ordered the evacuation of people inside the 6-km radius danger zone.

Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 as of yesterday.

Phivolcs said among the possible hazards that can occur at Kanlaon Volcano are sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current, and lahar flow during heavy rains.

Aircraft are not allowed to fly near the volcano.

As of Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 12,286 families or 47,255 individuals have been affected by the volcano’s unrest.

Of the number, 10,057 families or 31,702 individuals have been displaced. The number of displaced people was down to 5,759 families or 18,222 individuals as of Friday.

Some P198 million worth of assistance has been provided to those affected, the NDRRMC said.

It placed the estimated cost of damage to agriculture at P129.39 million.

A total of 57 cities and municipalities are in a state of calamity.

Meanwhile, 3,083 families or 9,7575 persons are still taking temporary shelter in 23 evacuation centers on Negros Island due to the continuing activities of the Kanlaon volcano, data from a division of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) showed.

The Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication’s (DROMIC’s) division’s data also showed that as of January 26, at least 2,653 families or 8,404 persons are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.

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