By JEN BAYLON
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observed an increase in ground deformation in Kanlaon Volcano’s edifice, as it warns of higher chances of an eruption taking place.
“Kanlaon Volcano has been recording a pronounced increase in the inflation or swelling of the edifice for the past month,” Phivolcs said in its advisory yesterday.
“Kanlaon has been undergoing slow but sustained inflation or swelling, indicating a long-term pressurization within the volcano,” it added.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said that significant changes at the volcano have been observed since June 18.
The unrest, driven by shallow magmatic processes, could eventually lead to explosive eruptions or even precede a hazardous magmatic eruption at Kanlaon’s crater, Phivolcs said.
It added that 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.
Phivolcs advised residents near Kanlaon’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone to be vigilant to reduce the risk of volcanic hazards.
The agency issued a warning earlier this month, after a series of increased seismic activities were recorded at Kanlaon.
Kanlaon has been emitting high concentrations of sulfur dioxide, averaging 1,273 tons per day, before its eruption last June 3.
A total of 90 volcanic earthquakes were recorded from July 2 to 3.
Most of the earthquakes were detected 20 kilometers deep.
Phivolcs also reported five volcano-tectonic earthquakes produced by rock fracturing, including 85 weak low-frequency quakes, which indicated the movement of volcanic fluids inside Kanlaon.
It added that the increase in volcanic activity is likely due to the magma beneath the volcano, which also causes more sulfur dioxide to be released and the ground to swell./JB, WDJ