Third-highest SO2 emission for 2024 recorded at Kanlaon Volcano

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that the Kanlaon Volcano released 6,367 tonnes of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) on Saturday, making it the third-highest amount so far this year.

SO2 fumes were reported in several barangays in Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Kanlaon also generated 700-meter steam-rich plumes caused by strong degassing activity from the summit crater.

“Kanlaon has been degassing increased concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year at an average rate of 1,273 tonnes/day prior to the 3 June 2024 eruption, but emission since then has been particularly elevated at a current average of 3,295 tonnes/day,” PHIVOLCS said in an advisory.

PHIVOLCS has also recorded an average of nine volcanic earthquakes per day since the eruption, and slow but sustained inflation and pressurization of the edifice since March 2022.

“The current monitoring parameters warn of shallow magmatic processes beneath the volcano that are actively driving unrest, causing persistent and increasing concentrations of volcanic gas emissions, persistent volcanic earthquake activity and swelling of the edifice,” the statement added.

Kanlaon is under Alert Level 2, which means increased chances of explosive eruptions or hazardous magmatic eruptions from the summit crater.

The public has been advised to avoid the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and stay alert for possible volcanic hazards. — VBL, GMA Integrated News