• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The possibility of another eruption of Kanlaon volcano in Negros Island remains high, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, citing the continuing increase in emissions of sulfur oxide.
Mary Andelene Quintia, resident volcanologist of PHIVOLCS Kanlaon Observatory, disclosed on Monday that they monitored 3,007 tons of sulfur dioxide emitted from the volcano on June 30.
Quintia said the possibility of a phreatic eruption, similar to that of June 3, is still high, noting that the magmatic processes beneath the volcano “may be driving current unrest, causing persistently high concentrations of volcanic gas emission, swelling of the edifice.”
On July 1, PHIVOLCS logged five volcanic quakes and 5,397 tonnes of sulfur dioxide from the summit of Kanlaon Volcano
Quintia said that Alert Level 2 remains in effect at Kanlaon volcano, and it is still “unstable.”
She further stressed that there should be no inhabitants within the four kilometer danger zone, as local government units allowed the return of residents affected by the phreatic eruption to their respective communities located outside the permanent danger zone.*
