By JEN BAYLON

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned of increased volcanic activity and high sulfur dioxide gas emissions from the Kanlaon Volcano.

Phivolcs, in its advisory issued yesterday, said Kanlaon’s emitted sulfur dioxide gas reached 4,397 tonnes per day, higher than the average of 1,458 tonnes per day.

Since its eruption last June 3, the emissions have been particularly high at an average of 3,347 tonnes per day, Phivolcs said.

Plumes rising up to 500 meters high were seen on Saturday, June 8, and these drifted northeast.

A total of 17 volcanic earthquakes were recorded over the weekend, with an average of 33 per day since last week.

Philvolcs has recorded medium-term inflation or bulging in the volcano’s middle slopes since March 2022, and shorter-term inflation on the eastern flank since 2023.

Alert Level 2 remains in effect on Kanlaon Volcano, as the current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes could eventually lead to explosive eruptions.

Residents are advised to stay vigilant and avoid the four-kilometer permanent danger zone to minimize risks from volcanic hazards.

Lahar flows

Phivolcs also urged communities to take necessary precautions against possible lahar flows.

“If there is rain, volcanic materials may possibly be remobilized,” Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB yesterday.

“Even if we live far from the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, we may still be in danger due to lahar if we live near a river with water flowing more than six kilometers from Kanlaon Volcano,” he added.

Bacolcol said residents should be ready to evacuate if needed.

“They should be ready to evacuate if there are heavy rains, and Pagasa is forecasting thunderstorms in the next few days,” he said./ With reports from GMA Integrated News / JB, WDJ