Courtesy: Ms. Ching Lagawing
KANLAON Volcano registered its highest sulfur dioxide emission on June 8 at 4,397 tons, prompting officials to maintain Alert Level 2 which means that there is unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to explosive eruptions.
“This is the highest emission this year measured by campaign survey and the second highest land-based measurement for Kanlaon,” Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito “Toto” Bacolcol said.
“We are closely monitoring its parameters and it is still difficult to say if it is calming down or worsening,” Bacolcol said.
“It is still unpredictable,” he added.
The Negros volcano has been degassing increased concentrations of SO2 this year at an average rate of 1,458 tons/day, according to the Phivolcs chief.
“But emission since the June 3, 2024 eruption has been particularly elevated at a current average of 3,347 tons/day,” he said.
In addition, volcanic earthquakes persisted at 33 events a day since the eruption, Phivolcs said.
The overall monitoring parameters indicate that degassing of magma may be driving unrest, causing increased volcanic gas emission, swelling of the edifice and occasional volcanic earthquake activity, Bacolcol explained.
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