MANILA, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano continues to operate under Alert Level 2, signaling heightened unrest, following the release of superheated gas observed earlier this week.
Recent Volcanic Activity
Monitoring data from the past 24 hours, spanning January 29 at midnight to January 30 at midnight, confirmed ongoing emissions of superheated gas from the volcano’s summit. This activity underscores the persistent magmatic processes within the edifice, located on the island of Negros.
Key Observations
Grayish plumes were noted rising up to 900 meters above the summit crater, drifting northwest. In the preceding day, a single emission event persisted for about three and a half hours, accompanied by three volcanic earthquakes. Sulfur dioxide emissions measured 1,662 tonnes per day as of January 6, with plumes reaching 800 meters and moving in southwest, west-southwest, and west directions.
Ground deformation studies reveal inflation in the volcano’s structure, pointing to continued magmatic intrusion. These indicators maintain the moderate unrest level without immediate escalation.
Safety Recommendations
Authorities advise against entering the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano or operating aircraft nearby, due to risks of sudden steam-driven eruptions or other precursory events. Residents in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and adhere to established safety measures.
The volcano’s behavior remains under close surveillance, with ongoing assessments of seismicity, gas output, and structural changes to guide any potential adjustments to the alert status.
