Sulfuric odor has been reported again in several barangays of La Carlota and Bago cities in Negros Occidental as the degassing of Kanlaon volcano continues, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Mari-Andylene Quintia, PHIVOLCS resident volcanologist at the Mt. Kanlaon Observatory, reported the sulfuric smell on Friday, Nov. 8, in the barangays of Haguimit, La Granja, Yubo, and San Miguel in La Carlota, and Brgy. Ilijan in Bago City.
The sulfuric odor was also reported earlier in several barangays of La Castellana located at the foot of Kanlaon volcano. Ashfall was reported on Thursday in upper Sitio Bais, Brgy. Yubo, La Carlota, and Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City, according to Quintia.
The other day, 18 tourism employees assigned to the Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center in Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City, were ordered not to report for work due to the strong sulfuric odor and thin ashfall, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Merinje Ortizo.
Kanlaon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 2 (increased unrest), had 24 volcanic earthquakes and emitted 7,378 tons of sulfur dioxide on Thursday, Nov. 7, PHIVOLCS reported. While no ashfall was reported on Friday, La Carlota City Mayor Rex Jalandoon advised residents, especially those in sulfuric odor-affected areas, to wear masks both outdoors and indoors.
On the other hand, Quintia reported another occurrence of an ashing event from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday. However, there was no ashfall or seismic signals accompanying the ashing event, she added.
Volcanic ash in the degassing plume signifies open vent conditions, where volcanic gas can carry fine debris from fractured rock or even from the margins of shallow magma beneath the edifice, Quintia said. ||
