The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on its update that Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island emitted white steam-laden plumes again for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
“Activity at the vent consisted of moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters before drifting southwest,” it said on its 8 am bulletin.
“Kanlaon Volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded thirty-eight (38) volcano-tectonic earthquakes on the western flanks during the 24-hour observation period. One (1) earthquake at 7:00 pm yesterday was recorded at M3.6 by the Philippine Seismic Network and was felt at Intensity III in La Carlota City and at Intensity II in Bago City, Negros Occidental,” it added.
Kanlaon Volcano’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 438 tonnes/day on June 13, 2020.
“Ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicate a slight deflation of the lower and mid slopes since January 2020. Short-term electronic tilt monitoring on the southeastern flanks recorded continuing deflation on the lower slopes but inflation on the mid slopes since April 2020. These parameters indicate that hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the edifice,” Phivolcs added on its Kanlaon Volcano update.
Kanlaon Volcano is currently at Alert Level 1, which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest, according to PHIVOLCS.
“The local government units and the public are strongly reminded that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions,” it said.
“Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” PHIVOLCS added.
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Mayon Volcano Update
Mayon Volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded one (1) rockfall event during the 24-hour observation period. Moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that crept downslope before drifting to the general west was observed.
Faint crater glow from the summit could be observed at night. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was last measured at an average of 591 tonnes/day on 23 June 2020. Ground deformation data from Precise Leveling surveys on 12–19 June 2020 indicate a slight inflation of the edifice relative to February 2020 survey.
DOST-PHIVOLCS reiterates that Alert Level 2 currently prevails over Mayon because the volcano is at a moderate level of unrest. It is therefore strongly recommended that entry into the six kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ