Kanlaon emits white steam-laden plumes anew; more quakes recorded

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island emitted white steam-laden plumes anew, according to the 8 a.m. bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Tuesday.

PHIVOLCS said the emission was weak and rose 300 meters. On Monday, PHIVOLCS reported a moderate emission that rose 200 meters.

“One earthquake at 5:07 AM yesterday was recorded at M3.0 by the Philippine Seismic Network and was felt at Intensity II in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental,” PHIVOLCS said.

“Activity at the vent consisted of weak emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters before drifting northwest and southeast,” it added.

A total of 104 volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded on the volcano’s western flanks in the past 24 hours. On Monday, PHIVOLCS recorded more with 136 earthquakes

On June 13, PHIVOLCS measured Kanlaon's sulfur dioxide emission at 438 tonnes per day. It also observed continuing deflation on the lower slopes and inflation on the mid slopes of the volcano since April.

“These parameters indicate that hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the edifice,” PHIVOLCS said.

Kanlaon Volcano is currently at Alert Level 1 which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest, according to PHIVOLCS.

“The local government units and the public are strongly reminded that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions,” it said.

“Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” PHIVOLCS added. --Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News