By CESAR JOLITO III

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported weak ash emissions from Kanlaon Volcano yesterday morning, indicating continued unrest within the volcano’s system.

Phivolcs said Kanlaon emitted 1,805 tons of sulfur dioxide yesterday, which was a slight increase from 1,531 tons last Saturday, October 4.

At around 8:23 a.m., time-lapse footage from the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City captured a grayish ash plume rising approximately 500 meters above the summit crater before drifting southwest.

The sulfur dioxide flux was measured at 1,638 tons per day as of Saturday, while the edifice of the volcano remains inflated — an indication of magma intrusion or pressure buildup beneath the surface.

This came a day after a moderate gas emission reached up to 650 meters, moving west-northwest and northwest.

According to Phivolcs, Kanlaon recorded 65 volcanic earthquakes within the past 24 hours, reflecting ongoing subsurface activity.

These parameters support continued volcanic unrest, prompting the agency to maintain Alert Level 2, which signifies increased activity that could lead to sudden steam-driven or phreatomagmatic eruptions.

Phivolcs strongly reminded the public to avoid entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone due to the risk of sudden explosions and rockfall.

It also advised civil aviation authorities to avoid flying aircraft close to the volcano’s summit because of possible ash hazards that could affect flight safety.

Tension and pressure 

Earlier, Phivolcs said there was a strong chance that Kanlaon will erupt again anytime soon, as the volcano recorded more volcano-tectonic earthquakes.

Increased seismic activities might indicate “progressive rock-fracturing” underneath the volcano, just as magma rises towards the surface, state seismologists said.

The earthquakes signal tension and pressure underneath a volcano that should be monitored intensively.

Phivolcs added that lower sulfur dioxide emission is an indication of closed-system degassing.

Daryll Arro, science research assistant at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, explained that the uptick in volcanic activity may indicate the upward movement of magma, gas or plume inside the volcano.

“There is a possibility of ash emissions or minor eruptions, which is why we are closely monitoring the situation,” Arro said.

He clarified, however, that the number of tremors is not the sole indicator of volcanic unrest, noting that Phivolcs focuses more on the intensity of quakes. / With reports from ABS-CBN News / CJ, WDJ