There were 337 volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano and its sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission reached its highest at 11,556 tons on Wednesday, Sept. 11, raising the possibility of a magmatic eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
The volcanic earthquakes increased by 49 from 288 reported on Tuesday.
“The public is reminded that Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) prevails over Kanlaon, but that current activity may lead to eruptive unrest and an increase in the Alert Level,” Phivolcs said.
“The public is strongly advised to be ready and vigilant,” it added.
La Carlota City and La Castellana in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental have suspended classes .
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said “we should be vigilant and alarmed, and continue to hope that activity at the volcano simmers down”.
Some of the earthquakes at the volcano have reached magnitude 3 and were felt by residents in barangays close to the volcano in Canlaon City, Bago City and La Castellana, Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, said.
All the parameters for a possible eruption are high, local government units and communities close to the volcano have been advised to be prepared, she said.
She said if there is an abrupt change in the volcano’s ground deformation the alert level at Kanlaon could be raised from 2 to 3.
Abrupt change in ground deformation could mean rising magma, Quintia said.
Alert Level 3 would mean extending the permanent danger zone around the volcano from 4 to 6 kilometers, which would affect more communities that would have to evacuate, she said.
SULFUR DANGER
The volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the summit crater of Kanlaon was 11,556 tons on Wednesday, from the previous average of 3,468 tons a day, Phivolcs said.
Sulfuric fumes were reported in Brgy. San Miguel, La Carlota City; Brgy. Masulog and Brgy. Pula, Canlaon City; Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City; and Brgy. Inolingan, Moises Padilla.
Prolonged exposure to volcanic SO2, especially of communities within direct reach of accumulation from plumes during low wind conditions, can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract, Phivolcs reiterated.
People who may be particularly sensitive are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children, it added.
CLASSES SUSPENDED
Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has declared the suspension of classes in Canlaon City until further notice because of the increased volcanic earthquakes and sulfur dioxide emissions.
These pose significant threats to public safety, particularly in areas surrounding the volcano, necessitating immediate precautionary measures, he said.
Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan also suspended all face-to-face classes in La Castellana due to increasing unrest at Kanalon Volcano.
All public and private schools are encouraged to shift their learning activities to online, modular, or any applicable alternative learning modality to protect learners and school authorities from the increasing unrest, she said.
Mayor Rex Jalandoon said he also cancelled classes in four barangays of La Carlota City located close to the volcano.
The four barangays are Ara-al, San Miguel, Ubo and Haguimit, he said.
LIVESTOCK EVACUATION
The Office of the Protected Area Superintendent of Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park advised all LGUs within the jurisdiction of MKNP to prepare an evacuation area for livestock.
Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices were also requested to monitor and coordinate with wildlife permittees regarding the status of their wildlife and to prepare an area intended for wildlife rescue if the need arises.
All activities are strictly prohibited within the 4-6 km danger zone and in all eco-tourism sites within the MKNP area of jurisdiction, the advisory said.*