The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday recorded a substantial drop in the number of volcanic quakes at Mt. Kanlaon, reporting three occurrences between Monday morning and Tuesday morning.

Observatories positioned near the volcano also reported seeing a moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes from the crater, rising to a height of 400 meters before drifting northeast.

Sulfur dioxide emissions, a type of volcanic gas, were also measured at an average of 10 tons per day.

Despite the drop in volcanic activity, Phivolcs still warned the public not to venture within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.

They further added, an ‘Alert Level 2’ status remains in place over the volcano.

Last week, Phivolcs recorded a total of 1,217 volcanic quakes at Mt. Kanlaon, with volcanologists noting the likely cause of the quakes being the intrusion of magma.

The alert level was raised over the volcano last month after Phivolcs recorded a sudden jump in the number of volcanic quakes./DGB, WDJ