Superheated gas emissions detected at the crater of Kanlaon Volcano are a reminder that its unrest is not over, a resident volcanologist said on Friday, Jan. 30.
The superheated plume, which is a common occurrence at Kanlaon, indicates that magma is intruding and waiting beneath the edifice, Mari Andylene Quintia, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Observatory in La Carlota City, said.
Phivolcs informed the public of this as a reminder that despite the short-term decreases of activity at Kanlaon, unrest is not over and it is possible that a major eruption could occur in the long-term, she said.
She corrected her earlier statement that a superheated plume may be a precursor to an eruption.
“It has caused panic and I would like to correct my statement. We have not yet established that superheated plume as a precursor. Volcanic earthquake swarms, abrupt increase or decrease in SO2 emissions, and ground deformation are our primary basis”, she said.
The latest Kanlaon superheated gas emission was detected by heat-sensitive cameras between 6:41 p.m. and 07:13 p.m. Wednesday.
Heat-sensitive cameras recorded nighttime emissions of superheated gas from Kanlaon.
The release of superheated gas could also be occurring in the daytime but it cannot be seen, she said.
The volcano also recorded earthquake swarms in January, she pointed out.
This is the reason the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone should be strictly implemented for the safety of all, she said.
The public is reminded that Alert Level 2 prevails over Kanlaon, which means that the volcano is in a state of increased unrest, Quintia said.
From 12 a.m. Thursday to 12 a.m. Friday Kanlaon had five volcanic earthquakes and emitted 2,020 tons of sulfur dioxide.
Degassing at the volcano reached 1,500 meters above the crater, Quintia said.
There was no ash emission although the degassing, or white steam, was strong, she said.*
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