A steam-driven explosion of Kanlaon Volcano is likely as heightened alert prevails.

A phreatic eruption similar to that on June 3, 2024 could occur, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

In a report on GMA Integrated News, PHIVOLCS reiterated that Alert Level 2 means Kanlaon is in a state of increasing unrest.

“Right now nasa Alert Level 2 ang Kanlaon Volcano at pwede pa rin itong mag-escalate further ang kanyang activities. Yes, possible na puputok pa rin ito,” PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview with a state-run television channel on September 20, 2024. 

Bacolcol said that steam-driven explosions or phreatic eruptions are likely to happen soon.

“For phreatic eruption, posible pa rin kahit naman nasa Alert Level 0…kaya ang recommendation natin sa ating mga kababayan na huwag pumasok sa loob ng 4-kilometer permanent danger zone kasi pwedeng magkaroon ng phreatic eruption anytime,” Bacolcol added.

PHIVOLCS noted increased seismic activity at the volcano last September 9, 2024 just three months after it erupted.

State seismologists logged 45 volcanic earthquakes from 12 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2024 to 12 a.m. of Friday, September 21, 2024.

As of Sept. 19, 2024, PHIVOLCS added  that sulfur dioxide emissions as of September 19, 2024 from the crater of Kanlaon currently averages 8,932 tons a day.