The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued a crucial advisory indicating heightened ground deformation at Kanlaon Volcano, raising alarms over the potential for an eruption similar to the one experienced on December 9, 2024.
Monitoring data from the Kanlaon Volcano Network reveals significant inflation in the middle to upper sections of Kanlaon’s eastern edifice, evident since Friday night, January 10.
Electronic tilt measurements recorded by the Upper Pantao Observation Station, located at 1,056 meters elevation, showed an abrupt increase in inflationary tilt, suggesting sudden pressurization within the volcano.
These patterns closely mirror those recorded prior to the December 9 eruption, which resulted in significant ashfall and local evacuations.
A concerning drop in sulfur dioxide emissions was recorded recently, declining from an average of 5,763 tons per day to just 2,029 tons on January 9.
This reduction further supports the possibility of an impending eruption, as it reflects changes in the volcano’s magmatic system.
Phivolcs has raised Alert Level 3 over Kanlaon, indicating magmatic unrest and a heightened risk of sudden explosive eruptions.
Communities within a six-kilometer radius of the summit are urgently advised to evacuate due to the potential for pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, and lava flows.
Local government units and disaster risk reduction and management councils are advised to vigilantly monitor weather conditions, especially in the event of heavy rainfall that could generate lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels draining the southern flanks of the volcano.
Specifically, barangays of Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town and Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City, which have previously been impacted by pyroclastic density currents, as well as barangays downstream that experienced lahars and muddy streamflows in June 2024, could be at risk of channel-confined lahars if heavy rains occur.
Authorities are also closely monitoring weather conditions, as heavy rainfall could trigger lahars, posing additional risks to communities downstream.
Phivolcs emphasizes the importance of vigilance in these areas, especially for those who have previously encountered lahars and muddy streamflows.
Civil aviation authorities have been alerted to prevent flights near the volcano, as ash clouds from any sudden eruption could pose serious hazards to air traffic.
Phivolcs is urging communities to remain prepared, as the volcano’s current activity indicates the potential for a similar surge in eruptive events, underscoring the urgent need for readiness in the face of nature’s unpredictability./WDJ