Kanlaon Volcano emits over 7K tonnes of sulfur dioxide

The Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island released a total of 7,445 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Saturday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Sunday.

PHIVOLCS’ latest bulletin also showed that the Kanlaon Volcano had eight volcanic earthquakes. Its plume was also obscured and its edifice inflated.

Kanlaon Volcano experienced an explosive eruption on December 9, prompting PHIVOLCS to raise its status from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (intensified unrest).

Under Alert Level 3, magmatic intrusion to shallow levels of the edifice is driving unrest, with indications that hazardous eruption may occur in weeks.

Possible hazards from the volcano include sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current, rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains.

With this, the danger zone was expanded to a radius of six kilometers from the summit crater or active vent.

However, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 6 said the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone around the restive Kanlaon Volcano may possibly be extended to 10 kilometers due to the threat of lahar flows.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has so far provided P60-million aid for the victims of Kanlaon Volcano’s activity—-P30 million each for Canlaon City and the Negros Oriental Province.

The President also instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release disaster funds, and ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to continuously monitor the health situation and be on alert for diseases related to the eruption.—Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News