• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
There is a possibility that Alert Level 3 may be declared anytime at Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island if the present activities of the volcano persist, resident volcanologist Mari Andylene Quintia said yesterday.
Compared to activities when it had a phreatic eruption on June 3, its eruptive mode now is “high”, she explained in an interview over RMN-DYHB.
Quintia is based at the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
Alert Level 3 means there is an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption,” coming from the “increasing unrest” under Alert Level 2, which remains in effect as of this time.
In the past 24 hours, the Phivolcs logged 19 volcanic quakes, and reported that Mt. Kanlaon emitted 2,296 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on July 15 while the normal sulfur dioxide emission is only 300 tonnes.
Phivolcs also noted the ongoing increased ground deformation changes at the middle and lower southeastern slopes of the volcano edifice since June 18.
In its advisory, Phivolcs said that considering that volcanic earthquake activity and elevated volcanic sulfur dioxide emission persists, the latest changes in ground deformation parameters could further indicate that magmatic intrusion beneath the edifice may be taking place, warning of increased chances of eruptive activity taking place.
The 11 families in La Castellana town, who are residing within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone have yet to return home after evacuating since June 3, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. | GB
