Kanlaon Volcano volcanic earthquakes, plumes observed —PHIVOLCS

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported Saturday that five volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Kanlaon Volcano in the past 24 hours.

Obscured plumes were also seen, it said in its bulletin.

"Medyo humupa na ang volcanic earthquakes na ating naitala... Nu'ng mga nakaraan, umabot ng 300 earthquakes ang ating nai-record... Pababa na ang seismic activity ng bulkan," Engineer Mary-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

(The volcanic earthquakes we recorded are not that as many as before. In the past, there would be as much as 300 earthquakes recorded... The seismic activity of the volcano is lessening.)

Kanlaon Volcano, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is still under Alert Level 2 on Saturday, meaning it is in a state of increased unrest, according to PHIVOLCS.

On Thursday, Kanlaon Volcano emitted 10,880 tons of sulfur dioxide.

"Ito 'yung second highest sulfur dioxide emission ng Kanlaon Volcano since nu'ng nagsimula tayo ng monitoring," Quintia said.

(This is the second highest sulfur dioxide emission at Kanlaon Volcano since we started monitoring.)

The volcano's edifice remains inflated.

PHIVOLCS reiterated that entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone or PDZ is not allowed.

Likewise, flying aircraft close to the volcano is prohibited.

Under Alert Level 2, Kanlaon Volcano may have sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, PHIVOLCS said.

Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption last June 3 lasted six minutes and emitted plumes that rose to 5,000 meters. —KG, GMA Integrated News