By JEN BAYLON
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) will likely hoist Kanlaon Volcano’s status to Alert Level 4 following its explosive eruption on Monday, December 9.
The Phivolcs said among the signs that they are looking for to declare Kanlaon under Alert Level 4 include a slow rise of magma and swelling of the volcano.
“Under Alert Level 4, everyone who could be affected by the worst-case scenario eruption should already evacuate,” Maria Antonia Bornas, chief of the Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, said.
A major eruption might happen under Alert Level 4, with volcanic plumes reaching up to 10 kilometers and pyroclastic density current could flow by more than six kilometers.
“When we reach Alert Level 5, this would be just merely a statement of the ongoing worst-case eruption scenario,” she added.
Earlier, Phivolcs said Kanlaon Volcano may have a hazardous eruption in the following weeks.
However, Bornas said it is still difficult to determine when a magmatic or major eruption will happen.
“Based on our analysis, Kanlaon might have a magmatic eruption soon. The question is when, how and how strong the eruption will be,” she pointed out.
The explosion on Monday involved magma, which is molten rock that is formed in very hot conditions inside the earth.
“There’s magma coming out. But so far we have not seen that in Kanlaon,” Bornas said.
Kanlaon calmed down after the eruption on Monday, Phivolcs said.
There was not much activity at the volcano the day after, with only a few minor volcanic earthquakes recorded.
Kanlaon is currently at Alert Level 3 after its explosive eruption, emitting approximately 4,638 tons of sulfur dioxide, reaching 3,000 meters, and drifting west-southwest.
Alert Level 3 indicated that the magmatic eruption may progress to further explosive eruptions, the Phivolcs said.
Pyroclastic density currents from the eruption descended the slopes on the southeastern edifice.
Six volcanic earthquakes and a notable ash emission were also recorded.
Phivolcs is advising residents to evacuate from Kanlaon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone and must be prepared for additional evacuation if volcanic activity warrants.
The agency also reminded residents around Kanlaon’s vicinity to take necessary measures to keep themselves safe from the eruption./ With reports from GMA Integrated News / JB, WDJ