Kanlaon Volcano update: Alert Level 2 stays

Kanlaon Volcano update: Alert Level 2 stays(AFP)

MANILA, Philippines – It is still too early to lower Kanlaon Volcano’s Alert Level from 2 to 1 despite a decrease in the number of volcanic earthquakes recorded, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol said on Friday.

Phivolcs said 14 volcanic earthquakes were logged from midnight June 6 to midnight June 7.

The recent data is lower than the 27 and 53 volcanic earthquakes detected from  June 5 to 6 and June 4 to 5, respectively.

“Four days pa lang since Kanlaon Volcano erupted, so we really have to check this every day and then observe this for a longer period, at least two weeks,” Bacolcol said in a Radyo630 interview.

(It’s only been four days since Kanlaon Volcano erupted, so we have to check this every day and observe it for a more extended period, at least two weeks.)

Phivolcs added that Kanlaon Volcano released 1,412 tons of sulfur dioxide and a 2000-meter-high plume in a northeast and southeast direction.

It added that the volcano edifice remains inflated.

Phivolcs said entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone and flying any aircraft near the volcano are still prohibited.

Kanlaon Volcano, located between Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, erupted on the evening of June 3.

Phivolcs also said that lahar flow, triggered by continuous rain, was experienced in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental and La Castellana, Negros Occidental, last June 5.