The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST - PHIVOLCS) issued a notice on July 15, 2024 of ongoing increased ground deformation changes at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.
Based on PHIVOLCS’ ground deformation monitoring on Kanlaon Volcano, it has been recording a pronounced increase in the inflation or swelling of the edifice for the past month.
“Electronic Distance Meter (EDM) measurements by Kanlaon Volcano Observatory tracked an abrupt order of magnitude shortening of campaign EDM lines on the middle and lower southeastern slopes that began on June 18, 2024 and has become sustained since then,” the advisory read.
“Kanlaon has been undergoing slow but sustained inflation or swelling since 2022 based on continuous GPS and electronic tilt measurements, indicating a long-term pressurization within the volcano,” the advisory added.
Further, the advisory stated that, “considering that volcanic earthquake activity and elevated volcanic SO2 emission persists, the latest changes in ground deformation parameters could further indicate that magmatic intrusion beneath the edifice may be taking place, warning of increased chances of eruptive activity taking place.”
The public is reminded that Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) prevails over Kanlaon.
This means that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption at the summit crater.
The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and avoid entry into the four (4) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall and others.
In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Kanlaon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask.
Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash and ballistic fragments from sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
Communities living beside river systems on the southern and western slopes, especially those that have already experienced lahar and muddy streamflows, are advised to take precautionary measures when heavy rainfall over the volcano has been forecast or has begun, DOST-PHIVOLCS has warned.
(Info courtesy: DOST-PHIVOLCS)
