• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is closely monitoring the faint crater glow observed at the summit of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island early Monday, June 29.
It could indicate that magma is moving closer to the surface or that superheated volcanic gases contributed to the phenomenon, it said.
The faint crater glow was visible from about 3:40 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Daryll Arro, science research analyst at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, said a persistent crater glow may indicate that magma is rising beneath the volcano.
However, since no crater glow was observed on Tuesday, June 30, it is also possible that the glow was caused by extremely hot volcanic gases rather than magma.
“If the crater glow becomes consistent, it could mean that magma is moving upward. Since it stopped, volcanic gas may have contributed to the crater glow,” Arro explained.
Despite the observation, Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, indicating a state of moderate unrest.
As of 8 a.m. of June 30, Phivolcs recorded 25 volcanic earthquakes since midnight of June 29, indicating that volcanic activity beneath the volcano remains elevated.
Arro said an increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes would signify continuing volcanic unrest and could indicate changes in the volcano’s activity.
Phivolcs also reported rainfall of six millimeters at monitoring stations in Canlaon City and La Carlota City. However, no lahar flows have been reported. | GPB
