The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday, Dec. 24, recorded ash emission from Kanlaon Volcano again as it continues to monitor the volcano’s activities.
In an advisory, Phivolcs said ash emission from the summit of Kanlaon Volcano was observed at 11:37 a.m. and 11:48 a.m.
Phivolcs reported that the ash emission generated a "dark plume" 1,200 meters tall, which is expected to "rain ash over the south and southwest sectors of the volcano."
Alert Level 3 (intensified unrest / magmatic unrest) remains in effect over Kanlaon, Phivolcs stated.
Based on its 24-hour monitoring from midnight of Dec. 23 to Dec. 24, Phivolcs recorded four ash emission events, ranging from 21 minutes to four hours and 35 minutes in duration.
Phivolcs also recorded 25 volcanic earthquakes, including four "very weak volcanic tremors," which lasted from 21 minutes to four hours and 35 minutes.
The volcano released 2,200 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on Dec. 23, Phivolcs reported. A voluminous 1,200-meter-tall plume was also observed, along with "continuous degassing and occasional ash emission."
As it continues to monitor Kanlaon’s activities, Phivolcs reminded the affected communities that evacuation from the 6-kilometer radius of the volcano’s summit is mandatory.
Flying aircraft close to the volcano, Phivolcs warned, is prohibited.
Phivolcs also reminded the public of the potential hazards, including sudden explosive eruptions, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDC), rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains.
On Dec. 23, Phivolcs issued a notice of increased volcanic ash emission at Kanlaon Volcano after recording “dark ash” coming from its summit, accompanied by weak, low-frequency volcanic earthquakes.