By JEN BAYLON
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned residents near Kanlaon Volcano to prepare for possible eruptions and potential hazards posed by the volcano.
“We have to prepare, baka mag-worsen ‘yung situation,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said in a press briefing with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol yesterday afternoon.
“Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. We urge the public to be vigilant and prepared for any eventuality. We are prepared for Alert Level 3,” he added.
Alert Level 2 was maintained over Kanlaon, which means that the volcano is showing signs of increased activity, but not yet at levels that would require immediate evacuation.
Bacolcol said Kanlaon is currently exhibiting unrest, driven by hydrothermal processes and magmatic degassing deep within its volcanic edifice.
“If seismic, ground deformation and volcanic gas parameters worsen, a magmatic eruption may become likely,” he said.
If the unrest is driven by the rising magma, it could generate volcanic hazards, such as lava flows and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), that would endanger nearby communities.
PDCs are hot, ground-hugging flows of ash and debris that can travel at speeds of hundreds of meters per second, reaching many tens to hundreds of kilometers from the source.
Bacolcol said the unrest may lead to small-magnitude explosive eruptions and hazards that could endanger communities within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).
The residents are reminded to stay away from the PDZ and to prepare for any potential hazards.
Phivolcs also stressed that the situation is still being closely monitored.
“We are closely monitoring its parameters, and it is still difficult to say if it is calming down or worsening. It is still unpredictable,” Bacolcol said.
However, if monitoring parameters decline, Phivolcs would lower the alert status of the volcano to Alert Level 1, indicating a decrease in volcanic activity.
Earlier, Phivolcs warned of increased volcanic activity and high sulfur dioxide gas emissions from Kanlaon Volcano.
Kanlaon’s emitted sulfur dioxide gas reached 4,397 tonnes per day, higher than the average of 1,458 tonnes per day, Phivolcs said.
Since its eruption last June 3, the emissions have been particularly high at an average of 3,347 tonnes per day.
Plumes rising up to 500 meters high were observed over the weekend.
A total of 17 volcanic earthquakes were also recorded, with an average of 33 per day since last week./JB, WDJ