Increased gas emission observed at Kanlaon Volcano

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday reported an increased level of Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission in Kanlaon Volcano.

"Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the summit crater of Kanlaon based on campaign Flyspec measurements today, 2 July 2024, averaged 5,083 tonnes/day," said Phivolcs in its bulletin. 

"This is the second highest emission from the volcano recorded this year and the third since instrumental gas monitoring began," it added. 

There has also been an average of 10 volcanic earthquakes a day since June, while medium-term inflation of the edifice and shorter-term inflation of the eastern flank indicated “slow but sustained pressurization within the volcano.”

Phivolcs said that “the overall monitoring parameters indicate that magmatic processes beneath volcano may be driving current unrest."

Kanlaon Volcano is still under alert level 2.

"This means that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption at the summit crater," reminded Phivolcs. 

"The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and avoid entry into the four (4) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall and others," it added. 

Kanlaon volcano erupted last June 3, emitting plumes that rose to 5,000 meters. The eruption lasted 6 minutes and was followed by a relatively strong volcanic-tectonic earthquake  —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News