Kanlaon Volcano alert level may rise due to high sulfur dioxide emission

FILE PHOTO: A resident of La Castellana town in Negros Occidental province observes a relatively calm Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, a day after the volcano spewed ash and rocks and forced residents in communities around the volcano to flee. Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano’s highest recorded emission of sulfur dioxide on Tuesday may lead to an “eruptive unrest” and increase in alert level in Negros provinces, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned.

In a 7 p.m. advisory, Phivolcs said that “[v]olcanic sulfur dioxide (S02) gas emission from the summit crater of Kanlaon based on campaign Flyspec measurement today, 10 September 2024, averaged 9,985 tonnes/day. This is the highest emission from the volcano recorded since instrumental gas monitoring began.”

The agency also noted that the volcano’s sulfur dioxide emission has increased to a current average of 3,468 tons per day since the June 3 eruption.

READ: Kanlaon Volcano erupts; Phivolcs raises Alert Level 2

“The public is reminded that Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) prevails over Kanlaon, but that current activity may lead to eruptive unrest and an increase in the Alert Level,” Phivolcs added.

Sulfuric odors were reported in these areas: Brgy. Ilijan in Bago City; Brgy. Ara-al and Brgy. San Miguel in La Carlota City; and Brgy. Masulog, Brgy. Linothangan, and Brgy. Pula in Canlaon City.

READ: Phivolcs warns of possible ‘eruptive unrest’ over Kanlaon

Phivolcs warned that prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide can cause health implications such as irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. The bureau also advised the public to avoid the entry into the four kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone “to minimize risks from volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall and others.”

In an advisory issued at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, a total of 288 volcanic-tectonic earthquakes were recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano Network since 8:30 p.m. of Monday, September 9. Intensity II were felt in some barangays of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.