Kanlaon Volcano continues to emit white steam-laden plumes

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island emitted white steam-laden plumes again for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

In an 8 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, PHIVOLCS said the emission was moderate and rose 300 meters before drifting southwest.

“One earthquake at 7:00 p.m. yesterday was recorded at M3.6 by the Philippine Seismic Network and was felt at Intensity III in La Carlota City and at Intensity II in Bago City, Negros Occidental,” it said.

KANLAON VOLCANO BULLETIN
24 June 2020
08:00 A.M.https://t.co/pM7t7A7ukr#KanlaonVolcano pic.twitter.com/CboEovNocI

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) June 24, 2020

Unlike in the past days with over a hundred volcano-tectonic earthquakes, only 38 were recorded on the western flanks of Kanlaon in the past 24 hours.

PHIVOLCS measured Kanlaon's sulfur dioxide emission at 438 tonnes per day.

It observed slight deflation of the lower slopes and mid slopes of the volcano since January, based on the ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements.

A continuing deflation on the lower slopes and inflation on the mid slopes of the volcano have been observed since April through short-term electronic tilt monitoring on the southeastern flanks, it added.

“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/KG, GMA News