Phivolcs warns of more ‘explosive events’ at Kanlaon

MANILA, Philippines — More explosive events may follow the eruption at Kanlaon Volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned yesterday.

“Whatever happens, phreatic or similar explosive events are likely. That is the character of Kanlaon. More likely than not, there will be another one. It can happen any time. As long as there is unrest, there will be anomalies in the volcano,” Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Ma. Antonia Bornas said at a press briefing.

Kanlaon’s minor eruption lasted six minutes and produced five-kilometer plumes at 6:51 p.m. on Monday.
Phivolcs said there has been a total of two volcanic tectonic earthquakes and 81 volcanic earthquakes prior to and following the eruption.

Phivolcs has raised the alert level of Kanlaon Volcano from level 1 (abnormal) to alert level 2 (increasing unrest) after an explosive eruption on Monday night.

Phivolcs said the eruption produced a voluminous and incandescent plume that rapidly rose to 5,000 meters above the vent.

According to Phivolcs, coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors have been reported in communities on western slopes of the volcano. 

“As of present, only two weak volcanic earthquakes have been recorded. Kanlaon has been exhibiting above background earthquake activity for the past month and has been degassing relatively anomalous sulfur dioxide (SO2) that has averaged approximately 1,273 tons per day for the year,” it added. 

Phivolcs said there should be strict prohibition in the entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.

Some 74 domestic flights in and out of Manila and other domestic hubs were cancelled due to Mt. Kanlaon eruption, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Manila International Airport Authority announced yesterday.

CAAP issued Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) B1995/24 revising B1989/24 as the alert level was raised from alert level 1 to alert level 2, with vertical extent of volcanic ash cloud of 1640 ft or 5000 meters.

CAAP said on Tuesday that all morning flights (inbound and outbound) at Bacolod-Silay Airport were canceled.

Meanwhile, CAAP information officer Karen Villanda said flight