An increase in gas emission and volcanic earthquakes were observed in Kanlaon Volcano for the past 24 hours, the head of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.
“Two ash emission events that reached 100 meters from the summit were also recorded yesterday,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency.
Bacolcol reported that Kanlaon Volcano generated 31 volcanic earthquakes for the past 24 hours, compared to 19 the previous day.
Sulfur dioxide emission slightly increased to 4,121 tons, compared to 1,669 tons the previous day.
In a radio interview, Bacolcol said the increase was expected.
Prior to the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano last Monday, sulfur dioxide in the volcano suddenly fluctuated.
“This means it was trapped in the volcano’s summit. The over pressurization led to the eruption,” Bacolcol said.
Phivolcs will monitor closely if the high gas emission is sustained, he said.
“Sometimes the measurement of monitored parameters are fluctuating. Some of these have increased the day after the volcano erupted,” Bacolcol said.
Raising Kanlaon Volcano’s alert level to 3 means a hazardous eruption is possible in the next few weeks, he added.
An explosive eruption that lasted for three minutes and 55 seconds occurred at the summit vent of the volcano last Monday. There was no precursory seismicity before the eruption.
Ash plume from Monday’s eruption reached 4 km. high, and affected several towns in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, as well as Guimaras and Antique, he said. (PNA)