MANILA, Philippines — Mount Kanlaon remained under Alert Level 2 on Friday, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported continued signs of unrest following yesterday’s moderately explosive eruption.
Phivolcs recorded 10 volcanic earthquakes and two episodes of tremor, while sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 346 tonnes per day and ground deformation showed that the volcano edifice remained inflated during the 24-hour monitoring period ending at midnight.
A weak emission plume reached about 150 meters and drifted west, indicating the volcano remains restless even without a major eruption recorded during the monitoring period.
In an interview, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said, “The same type of activity may persist as Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2,” warning residents near the area that sudden eruptions can release hot rocks, ash, and poisonous gases.
Thursday’s eruption, which occurred at 4:38 p.m. and lasted two minutes, produced a dark gray plume rising roughly 2 kilometers above the summit and triggered pyroclastic density currents on the upper slopes.
Authorities continue to enforce the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone and advise civil aviation to avoid flying near the summit.
