Kanlaon Volcano’s daily volcanic earthquakes increased to 30 —PHIVOLCS

The number of daily volcanic earthquakes in Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island increased to 30 on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in its bulletin on Thursday.

This is higher compared to the five volcanic earthquakes recorded over the volcano on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the sulfur dioxide emission from Kanlaon Volcano dropped to 5,362 tons on Wednesday from 10,880 tons on September 12.

The volcano edifice is still inflated, according to PHIVOLCS.

Alert Level 2 remains over Kanlaon Volcano, which means there is an increased unrest. Sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions may occur in the volcano.

Under Alert Level 2, entry into the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and the flying of any aircraft close to the volcano are prohibited.

On September 11, sulfuric fumes were reported in Barangay San Miguel in La Carlota City; Barangay and Barangay Pula in Canlaon City; Barangay Codcod in San Carlos City; and Barangay Inolingan in Moises Padilla.

“Prolonged exposure to volcanic SO2, especially of communities within direct reach of accumulation from plumes during low wind conditions, can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract,” PHIVOLCS had said.

“People who may be particularly sensitive are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children,” it added.

Due to this, PHIVOLCS advised affected residents to cover their mouth and nose with a damp clean cloth or dusk mask. Some residents in affected barangays were advised to evacuate.

PHIVOLCS chief Teresito Bacolcol earlier said Kanlaon Volcano may have an eruption following a series of volcanic earthquakes.

“Ang ibig sabihin po nito ay maaaring may magma na umaakyat o umaangat at binabasag ang mga bato kaya po nagkakaroon po tayo ng paglindol,” Bacolcol had said.

(It means there may be magma rising and breaking the rocks, that is why we are having earthquakes.)

On June 3, Kanlaon Volcano had an eruption that lasted six minutes and emitted plumes that rose to 5,000 meters. --Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News