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Kanlaon Volcano still at high risk for further eruptions — Phivolcs chief
Kanlaon Volcano still at high risk for further eruptions — Phivolcs chief
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol warned that Kanlaon Volcano remains at high risk for another eruption following its “explosive” activity on Monday, Dec. 9.
In a televised public briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 10, Bacolcol emphasized the heightened threat by raising the alert level from 2 to 3.
“Ang possibility na masundan ito [eruption] in the near term ay mataas kaya nag raise tayo ng alert level from 2 to 3 (The possibility of this being followed by another eruption in the near-term is high, which is why we raised the alert level from 2 to 3),” he said.
No eruption has occurred as of Tuesday morning. However, Bacolcol advised that residents, particularly those living around Kanlaon Volcano, should remain vigilant and avoid entering the designated danger zone, which is a six-kilometer radius from the summit.
He added that a sudden eruption, similar to the one on Dec. 9, is still possible.
The Phivolcs chief also expressed concern about the pyroclastic density current (PDC), noting its speed and the danger it poses, as it would be impossible to outrun if one is too close.
PDCs, which are hazardous mixtures of hot volcanic gas, ash, and fragmented rock, were generated at the base of the eruption column and descended the south-southeastern slopes of Kanlaon Volcano, as observed through camera monitors during its latest eruption.
Phivolcs said the longest descent of the PDCs from the summit crater was estimated to be between two and 3.4 kilometers, reaching Masulog, La Castellana, which is within the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone.
Ashfall was also reported over a wide area to the west of the volcano, affecting regions such as Negros Occidental and parts of Negros Oriental, and even reaching Guimaras and Antique.
Bacolcol explained that before the eruption on Monday, there was a recorded short-term inflation or swelling in the summit area, which could mean that magma was close to the surface.
He added that there was a decrease in sulfur dioxide emissions, which only reached 1,669 tons per day, which means that pressure was building up beneath the surface and preventing the gas or sulfur dioxide from escaping.
Eventually, the pressure became too much to contain, leading to the eruption, he said.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/12/9/phivolcs-warns-of-looming-lahar-threat