BACOLOD CITY – Following a minor explosive eruption at the summit of Kanlaon Volcano recently, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) over-the-weekend warned of the possibility of more eruptions.
The eruption, which lasted two minutes, generated a poorly visible plume that rose 600 meters above the vent before drifting southwest, scattering thin ashfall over Sto. Mercedes and San Luis, Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana in Negros Occidental, according to PHIVOLCS.
Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Mt. Kanlaon Observatory, disclosed on Friday that the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on December 9 last year was stronger compared to its explosive eruption on February 6.
Prior to the event on Feb. 6, Quintia said they established a significant drop of sulfur dioxide emissions over the past several days, to a low of 1,000 to 2,000 tons per day, due to the plugging of the volcanic conduit, resulting in gas pressure build up at the bottom, which caused the eruption.
She said that Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over the volcano.
PHIVOLCS also noted that the upper to middle slopes of the volcano edifice have been undergoing inflation or swelling since January 10 this year.
Quintia disclosed that residents of Barangay Yubo in La Carlota and Brgy. Sag-ang in La Castellana, all in Negros Occidental, heard an explosion, although the eruption was not visibly observed due to clouds covering the volcano.
She raised the possibility that the eruption generated lahar flow, since it was raining on Thursday.
Muddy stream flow was also reported at Buhangin River in La Castellana, heading towards Moises Padilla and flowing into the Binalbagan River.
Asked on the possibility of raising Alert Level 4, Quintia said if there is an abrupt change, based on their monitoring parameters, which include ground deformation, seismicity, and gas emission, “we expect a major eruption.”
But as of now, she stressed that ground deformation at the volcano is a little bit slow.
In an advisory dated Feb. 7, PHIVOLCS logged 35 volcanic earthquakes and the emission of 2,249 tons of sulfur dioxide.
On the other hand, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the minor explosive eruption on Thursday may lead to a series of minor explosions, leading to more explosive eruptions.
Residents from within the six kilometer extended danger zone of Kanlaon volcano are now staying at the evacuation centers.
Asked on his assessments on the performance of affected local government units in dealing with the ongoing natural calamities, Lacson described it as “challenging” for the concerned LGUs.
“We will never be ready enough, especially for the scenario,” Lacson admitted.
“Best effort lang, knowing that the national government is behind us,” he stressed.
The provincial government is currently utilizing its remaining 2024 disaster relief funds to feed evacuees, through community kitchens established in different evacuation centers. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)