
Kanlaon Volcano (PHOTO COURTESY OF TASK FORCE KANLAON)
MANILA, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano registered an almost three-fold increase in sulfur dioxide emission on Wednesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Based on Phivolcs’ 24-hour monitoring, the volcano emitted 4,068 tons of sulfur dioxide, which is more than the 1,691 tons it released the day before.
State volcanologists also recorded nine volcanic earthquakes. It added that the volcano’s edifice is inflated.
The volcano, located between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, remains under Alert Level 3, indicating a magmatic unrest.
It erupted last December 9, 2024, producing a voluminous plume that rapidly rose to 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southwest.
It prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents from parts of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.
Phivolcs added that flights in the vicinity of the volcano is still prohibited and warned of possible hazards such as sudden explosive eruption, lava flow, ash fall, rockfall, lahar during heavy rains, and pyroclastic flow.