More earthquakes, sulfur dioxide emission recorded from Kanlaon Volcano

Kanlaon Volcano had more volcanic earthquakes and sulfur dioxide emission, according to the bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Monday.

On Sunday, a total of 32 volcanic earthquakes were recorded at the volcano, which was higher compared to the 29 reported on Saturday.

Kanlaon Volcano, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, emitted a total of 4,604 tonnes of sulfur dioxide gas. This was also higher than the 2,625 tonnes reported in the previous bulletin.

Moderate emission of plumes of up to 200 meters tall and continuous degassing were observed from the volcano. These plumes drifted to the west.

Kanlaon Volcanic edifice is inflated, according to PHIVOLCS.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano, which means there is a high level of volcanic unrest. Magmatic intrusion to shallow levels of the edifice is driving unrest, with indications that a hazardous eruption could occur in weeks.

Possible hazards from the volcano include sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current (PDC), rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains.

The volcano's danger zone was expanded to a radius of six kilometers from the summit crater or active vent. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News