By JEN BAYLON
Ash emissions from Kanlaon Volcano will now be called eruptions, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said, as confirmed by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
“Whether it’s a major or minor one, [the ash emission] will still be called an eruption,” Lacson said yesterday.
Before Kanlaon returns to a calm state, a final activity involving lava or pyroclastic flows might occur, Lacson said, citing the Phivolcs.
“They are saying that, for sure, there will be major activity before it calms down. The ongoing ash emissions are not considered the activity that will eventually calm down Kanlaon,” the governor pointed out.
However, Kanlaon’s restiveness could potentially elevate the alert level, depending on the severity of the situation.
Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over the volcano, signaling magmatic unrest following its explosive eruption on December 9, 2024.
Lacson also expressed concerns about the possibility of major eruptions occurring in the future, although the exact timing and intensity remain uncertain.
Meanwhile, Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Mt. Kanlaon Observatory in Negros Occidental, said the increased emissions are an indication of the clogging of the conduit at Kanlaon.
“There is a building of pressure inside the volcano,” Quintia said.
Eight ash emission events, which lasted for six to 46 minutes, were recorded at Kanlaon in the past 24 hours since Sunday, January 26, Phivolcs said yesterday.
The volcanic events generated grayish plumes that rose from 200 to 400 meters above the summit crater before drifting west.
Light ashfall was also observed in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City and La Castellana town.
Kanlaon also had 30 volcanic earthquakes, including seven volcanic tremors, the Phivolcs said.
It released 2,964 tons of sulfur dioxide, as well as another voluminous 750-meter-tall plume.
Its edifice also remained inflated.
Phivolcs has recommended evacuation of residents from the six-kilometer radius around the volcano’s summit.
Possible hazards that may occur include sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, and rockfall, as well as lahars during heavy rains.
The Department of Health in the Negros Island Region reported that the eruption has affected 2,909 families, composed of 9,291 individuals, who are currently staying inside 20 evacuation centers./ With reports from GMA Integrated News / JB, WDJ