Bacolod City – Occurrence of superheated gas emission and a swarm of volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano may lead to a short-lived moderate explosive eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned recently.
Mari Andylene Quintia, PHIVOLCS resident volcanologist stationed at La Carlota City observatory, disclosed that prior to the Kanlaon eruption in December 2024, May and October last year, they noticed superheated gas emissions from the volcano.
The superheated plume activity at the crater of Kanlaon Volcano was recorded by PHIVOLCS between 06:41 PM and 07:13 PM on January 28, through the infra-red channel of the Upper Pantao, Canlaon City Observation Station (VKUP). According to PHIVOLCS, heat-sensitive cameras have frequently recorded nighttime emissions of superheated gas from Kanlaon which cannot be seen with the naked eye.
It has declared that Alert Level 2 still prevails over Kanlaon, which means the volcano is in a state of increased unrest.
Quintia further said that they also recorded swarms of VT earthquakes in previous weeks.
VT is generated by the rock fracturing process beneath the volcano, as rising magma, or magmatic gas drives a path toward the surface gases.
In an advisory, PHIVOLCS recorded three volcanic quakes, as of 12 midnight of Jan. 29.
On Thursday, volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions from the summit crater of Kanlaon averaged 1,488 tons, it reported.
Asked if it will be a cause of concern for local government units near the volcano, Quintia said that is why residents are barred from entering the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone, as the volcano may possibly erupt anytime. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)