The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) commissioned two new ScanDOAS stations on the northwestern and eastern sectors of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.

ScanDOAS stands for Scanning Diffential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy. 

The two new ScanDOAS stations are located in Sitio Manghumay, Barangay Mailum, Bago City, Negros Occidental and in Kanlaon Volcano Observatory–Canlaon City, Negros Oriental. 

“As part of the planned enhanced volcanic gas monitoring network to generate near real-time, high-resolution data, the addition of ScanDOAS instruments allows for continuous, daytime measurement of sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux in Kanlaon Volcano,” DOST-PHIVOLCS said in a press statement. 

The instrument comprises a UV-spectrometer, telescope, scanner, fiber optics cable, micro-computer, controller box, timer, and GPS receiver. 

The data obtained are transmitted in near real-time to the Kanlaon Volcano Observatories and the PHIVOLCS Data Receiving Center for processing and analysis, DOST-PHIVOLCS said.
Kanlaon Volcano has been at Alert Level 2 since its eruption on June 3, 2024 and elevated SO2 degassing has been sustained since then. 

“The establishment of continuous SO2 stations will support current campaign SO2 monitoring of Kanlaon and provide higher-resolution data that will be crucial for assessing unrest and early-warning of volcanic eruption,” the agency further stated. 

The acquisition of ScanDOAS technology for monitoring active volcanoes in the Philippines was made possible, according to PHIVOLCS, through collaboration with the Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change or NOVAC Consortium. 

“The latest improvements are a testament to the DOST-PHIVOLCS’ commitment to providing timely, quality, and socially inclusive information and services for warning, disaster preparedness, and mitigation,” DOST-PHIVOLCS further said.