PHIVOLCS logs 22 volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano

Kanlaon Volcano experienced 22 volcanic earthquakes, including seven volcanic tremors, in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Monday.

State volcanologists noted that the volcanic earthquakes and tremors lasted between 10 to 62 minutes.

It also recorded two ash emission events, which were about 10 to 47 minutes long.

Voluminous plumes rising up to 500 meters tall were also observed, indicating continuous degassing with occasional ash emission.

PHIVOLCS noted that Mt. Kanlaon emitted 5460 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux on Sunday.

It added that Kanlaon’s edifice was inflated.

Alert Level 3 (Intensified Unrest/Magmatic Unrest) remains in effect at Kanlaon Volcano, which means it may pose hazards such as sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current, rockfall or lahars during heavy rains.

Kanlaon Volcano had an explosive eruption on December 9, prompting  PHIVOLCS to raise the Alert Level from 2 to 3.

The Office of the Civil Defense earlier said it is preparing a plan that includes transferring evacuees outside Canlaon City amid Kanlaon's continued activity. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News