• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has warned of potential sudden steam-driven, or phreatic, eruptions that could occur from Mt. Kanlaon, with Alert Level 2 remaining in effect over the volcano.
On Monday, Nov. 4, PHIVOLCS reported another volcanic ash emission from Mt. Kanlaon. The intermittent emissions of volcanic ash since Nov. 1 are attributed to continuous degassing from the volcano’s crater.
In a bulletin issued on Monday, PHIVOLCS logged two ashing events and five volcanic quakes, with an average of 5,177 tons of sulfur dioxide emitted by the volcano on Nov. 3.
Thin ash fall and the smell of sulfur have been reported in Brgys. Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City, as well as in the barangays of Cabagnaan and Robles in La Castellana.
Resident volcanologist Mari-Andylene Quintia advised residents of communities at the foot of the volcano to wear masks when outside their homes, warning that inhaling ash can cause eye and upper airway irritation, and worsen existing respiratory conditions like asthma.
Short-term exposure to fine ash can lead to serious lung diseases. | GB
