• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Following the crater glow observed at the summit of Kanlaon Volcano on Sunday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has warned of possible rising magmatic activity at the volcano.
PHIVOLCS explained that a crater glow visible to the naked eye is considered a common precursor to a magmatic eruption at Kanlaon Volcano.
The agency noted that superheated gas activity has persisted since November 2024, and became more frequent beginning April 13 this year.
PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol disclosed that the volcano has long been emitting hot volcanic gases since 2024.
Bacolcol added that the emissions have become visible under current conditions due to ash activity and the intensity of heat coming from Kanlaon.
He explained that the superheated volcanic plume contains a mixture of water vapor, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hot ash, and extremely high temperatures that can reach 500 degrees Celsius.
Despite the new development, PHIVOLCS said monitoring parameters at Kanlaon Volcano have remained generally unchanged since its moderately explosive eruption on March 15.
Seismic activity has remained steady at an average of six volcano-tectonic earthquakes per day, while sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 1,646 tons daily and slightly increased to 2,382 tons per day over the past week.
Ground deformation data also continued to indicate a sustained and slow inflation of the volcano’s edifice since 2022, suggesting ongoing volcanic unrest beneath the surface.
Alert Level 2 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano. However, PHIVOLCS said the alert status could be raised to Alert Level 3 if stronger signs of an impending magmatic eruption are observed.
The agency reiterated that residents within the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone must remain evacuated due to threats posed by pyroclastic density currents, lava flows, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, and rockfall in the event of an eruption.
PHIVOLCS also urged local government units and disaster response agencies to prepare for a possible escalation of volcanic unrest and warned communities about potential lahar and sediment-laden streamflows during heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, civil aviation authorities were advised to prevent aircraft from flying near the volcano’s summit because ash emissions from sudden eruptions could endanger flights.*
