Kanlaon Volcano had 23 volcanic earthquakes —PHIVOLCS

The Kanlaon Volcano in Negros had 23 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

The volcano also emitted 4,186 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Friday, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin Saturday.

Moderate plumes rising up to 75 meters tall were also observed, indicating the volcano's continuous degassing. The plumes drifted in the southwest direction.

Occasional ash emission was also reported.

Kanlaon Volcano's edifice remains inflated.

Alert Level 3 (Intensified Unrest/Magmatic Unrest) remains in effect at Kanlaon Volcano, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

PHIVOLCS reiterated that the six-kilometer radius from the volcano's summit should be off limits.

Flying aircraft close to the volcano should also not be allowed, it added.

At Alert Level 3, Kanlaon Volcano poses hazards such as:

•         sudden explosive eruption;
•         lava flow or effusion;
•         ashfall;
•         pyroclastic density current (PDC);
•         rockfall; and
•         lahars during heavy rains.

Kanlaon Volcano erupted on December 9, prompting PHIVOLCS to raise the alert level from 2 to 3.

The province of Negros Oriental has declared a state of calamity due to the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. —KG, GMA Integrated News