Kanlaon spewed 5,500 tons of sulfur dioxide when it exploded Tuesday

SCARY SIGHT Early Tuesday’s explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, the third major blast of the active volcano on Negros Island since June last year, has been described by Negrenses as “scary.” (This image was grabbed from a video recording of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.)

MANILA, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano released over 5,500 tons of sulfur dioxide on the day of its explosive eruption on Tuesday morning (April 8), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In its 24-hour monitoring posted on Wednesday, Phivolcs said the volcano emitted about 5,524 tons of sulfur dioxide.

This volume is three times higher than the 1,824 tons of sulfur dioxide it released a day before.

READ: Ashfalls observed in areas in Negros after Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption

The volcano’s explosive eruption produced a 4,000-meter-tall plume that drifted southwest.

Ashfall was also observed in barangays near the western part of the volcano.

In addition to the eruption, Phivolcs recorded a 21-minute ashfall, an 18-minute volcanic tremor, and 15 volcanic earthquakes on Tuesday.

The volcano sits between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

It remains under Alert Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest.

READ: What happens after Kanlaon Volcano eruption? Phivolcs gives 3 scenarios

Phivolcs recommended the evacuation of residents within a six-kilometer radius of the volcano.

The agency also prohibits flying any aircraft in the area.

It also warned of possible hazards such as sudden explosive eruption, lava flow, ashfall, pyroclastic flow, rockfall and lahar.