Kanlaon emitted ash 7 times in 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

The Kanlaon Volcano in the Visayas emitted ash seven times on Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Saturday.

The ash emission events lasted from 12 to 100 minutes long, it added.

Eleven volcanic earthquakes were also recorded on Friday, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin. These include seven volcanic tremors lasting from 17 to 100 minutes long.

Meanwhile, a total of 3,994 tonnes of sulfur dioxide were emitted by Kanlaon Volcano on Friday.

Moderate plumes rising up to 150 meters tall were also observed, indicating continuous degassing. The plumes drifted southwest.

PHIVOLCS said the volcano 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, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, 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