KANLAON Volcano in Negros Island emitted some 4,397 tons of sulfur dioxide on Saturday, the highest since the volcano’s “explosive eruption” on June 3, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
“This (gas emission) is the highest since it erupted so we cannot yet lower it (alert level),” Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol told a radio interview yesterday
Kanlaon Volcano’s explosive eruption on June 3 prompted Phivolcs to raise the alert status to Level 2 (increasing unrest), from Alert Level 1 (abnormal).
Bacolcol said Kanlaon Volcano emitted some 4,397 tons of sulfur dioxide from 12 a.m. Saturday to 12 a.m. Sunday.
The volcano emitted 797 tons of sulfur dioxide on June 3; 4,113 tons on June 4; 3,464 tons on June 5; 1,412 tons on June 6; and 1,412 tons on June 7.
Bacolcol said 17 volcanic earthquakes were recorded on Saturday, the second lowest since its June 3 eruption.
It had 43 volcanic earthquakes on June 3; 53 on June 4; 27 on June 5; 14 on June 6; and 19 on June 7.
“It’s still high compared to the background level,” said Bacolcol, referring to the 17 volcanic quakes recorded last Saturday. Thus, he said this means lowering the volcano’s alert level was not necessary at this time.
A Phivolcs advisory said the sulfur dioxide emission of Kanlaon Volcano last Saturday was the “highest emission this year measured by campaign survey and the second highest land-based measurement for Kanlaon.”
“The volcano has been degassing increased concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year at an average rate of 1,458 tonnes/day, but emission since the 3 June 2024 eruption has been particularly elevated at a current average of 3,347 tonnes/day,” it added.
It said volcanic earthquakes averaged 33 per day since the June 3 eruption.
Bacolcol said Phivolcs is hoping Kanlaon Volcano would not go on a destructive eruption, and Alert Level 3 (high level of volcanic unrest) will not be declared.
Bacolcol said monitoring continues as Kanlaon Volcano can still exhibit an explosive eruption similar to that on June 3.
“Even at Alert Level 0 (normal), there is possibility of phreatic eruption and phreatic eruption can take place without any warning so that’s one of the events we have to prepare for,” he said Bacolcol.
Bacolcol also noted the risk of lahar flows that can be triggered by rains. He said people living near waterways should be vigilant and be ready to evacuate in case of lahar flows.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Kanlaon’s unrest has affected 8,478 families or 29,134 persons in the Western Visayas and Central Visayas regions.
Of the number, 1,728 families or 5,958 persons were displaced, the NDRRMC said.
However, the number was already down 1,339 families or 4,752 persons as of yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, Bacolcol appealed to people near Taal Volcano in Batangas to wear face masks due to the increasing degassing activity of the volcano which is under Alert Level 1.
Taal Volcano emitted some 11,072 tons of sulfur dioxide on June 6, generating thick volcanic smog or vog.
“Our advice to the people, especially this weekend when many people will go to Tagaytay, to wear face masks or bring face mask, N-95, if possible,” he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said some P4.8 worth of food packs and non-food relief items have been distributed to communities affected Kanlaon’s eruption. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
