Kanlaon Volcano released a total of 7,594 tons of sulfur dioxide flux on Saturday, November 23, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday.

Phivolcs’ latest bulletin also indicated that the volcano on Negros Island had two ash emission events that lasted four to eight minutes.

Kanlaon Volcano also emitted a “moderate” 50-meter tall plume, which drifted southwest.

Phivolcs earlier warned people against prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide as the fumes can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract.

Persons with health conditions, such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, as well as the elderly, pregnant women, and children could also be particularly sensitive to the fumes.

There were three volcanic earthquakes also recorded at Kanlaon, whose edifice remained inflated.

Alert Level 2 is currently raised over Kanlaon due to “increased unrest” following its explosive eruption in June.

Entry into the volcano’s four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and flying any aircraft close to it are prohibited.

Phivolcs warned that the volcano may have sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, as well as precursory magmatic activity. (GMA Integrated News)