• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) have raised the possibility of hazardous eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in the coming weeks as Alert Level 3 remains in effect.
Alert Level 3 means there is a possibility of a hazardous eruption in the following weeks, according to Phivolcs.
“We are not discounting the possibility that it may happen, and that Alert Level 4 may be raised,” Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said on Thursday (Dec. 12).
Bacolcol attended the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) meeting at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, after conducting an aerial inspection of the volcano on board the Philippine Air Force Blackhawk helicopter.
He noted the fluctuating data of Mt. Kanlaon, stressing that if there is a downtrend in its parameters, it may also indicate a calm before a storm.
Before the Dec. 9 eruption, the volcano logged six volcanic quakes and emission of 1,699 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), compared to previous weeks data of 7,000 to 11,000 tons of SO2 emission.
Then, it erupted, Bacolcol said.
Unlike in the previous activities that only involved steam and ash, the recent explosion involved new magma, he added.
“When we analyzed the ash that came from the events, it came from old volcanic rocks. It means, there is a strong pressure going upward,” the Phivolcs chief said.
The last magmatic eruption of Mt. Kanlaon was recorded by Phivolcs in 1902.
According to Phivolcs, the Dec. 9 eruption was similar to the event last June 3, but stronger, based on seismic and other observation data.
Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and the towns of La Castellana, Moises Padilla and Murcia, and the cities of Bago, La Carlota and San Carlos were identified by the PDRRMC as the lava flow hazard areas.
The lahar hazard areas include Canlaon City, La Carlota City, Bago City, Himamaylan City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pulupandan and Binalbagan.
Maria Antonia Bornas, chief of Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, said that among the signs they are looking for to raise an Alert Level 4 include the slow rise of magma and swelling of the volcano.
During the aerial survey, two S701 Black Hawk choppers were used to gather data on potential hazards after the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, according to the Philippine Air Force.
“The inter-agency team utilized the aerial platforms to gain a comprehensive overview of the situation and identify areas requiring immediate attention. The said helicopters will also be utilized for the airlift of volumes of relief goods intended for the affected communities,” it added. | GB
