PHIVOLCS records highest volcanic gas emission at Kanlaon

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded the highest emission of volcanic gas at Kanlaon Volcano since instrumental gas monitoring began.

According to an advisory, the emission of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas on Friday averaged 5,397 tonnes per day.

The record was almost twice the 3,175 tonnes per day average since the June 3 eruption.

There was also an average of 10 earthquake events per day recorded since the eruption.

“Kanlaon has been degassing increased concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year at an average rate of 1,897 tonnes/day,” said the advisory.

PHIVOLCS said that increased gas emission, swelling of the edifice, and increased volcanic activity may be attributed to the magmatic processes causing current unrest beneath the volcano.

Meanwhile, the institute warned that the volcano remained at Alert Level 2 with the possibility of an explosive eruption or hazardous magmatic eruption at the summit crater.

The public was also advised to avoid the four-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and to take the necessary precautions in case of ash fall events and lahar flows.

“DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Kanlaon  Volcano and any new development will be immediately communicated to all concerned stakeholders,” they added.

Kanlaon Volcano erupted at 6:51 p.m. on June 3, causing the displacement of over 1,500 people in Negros Occidental.

Kanlaon was raised from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 after the volcano emitted 5,000-meter plumes for up to 6 minutes. — DVM, GMA Integrated News