Kanlaon Volcano exhibits heightened unrest

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday, September 11, that Kanlaon Volcano continued to show heightened unrest, maintaining its status under Alert Level 2.

State volcanologists said that Kanlaon Volcano experienced over 337 volcanic earthquakes in the 24 hours preceding midnight on Wednesday. 

They explained the volcanic-tectonic earthquakes were caused by the pressure of rising magma, which is when the rocks below the volcano begin cracking.

A volcanic plume, consisting of ash, steam and gasses, was observed erupting from Kanlaon's summit crater, as seen in Phivolcs' thermal IP camera footage of the volcano degassing on September 10 at 5:30 a.m.

LOOK: IP camera footages of Kanlaon Volcano taken on 10 and 11 September 2024. The volcano has been exhibiting increased unrest, with volcano-tectonic or VT earthquake swarms and unprecedented levels of SO2 degassing being recorded yesterday. Alert Level 2 is maintained over… pic.twitter.com/tlWsydPeZc

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) September 11, 2024

Phivolcs also reported earlier that the volcano is emitting about 9,985 tonnes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) a day. 

State volcanologists also found the volcano’s edifice, also known as its cone, to be inflated. When this happens, the agency said that there is a “probable intrusion of magma at depth, which may or may not lead to magmatic eruption.”

Phivolcs also warned of the potential for sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. This hazard is triggered when magma heats groundwater.

With these volcanic hazards, Phivolcs has recommended prohibiting entry within the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), which is a 4-kilometer radius surrounding Kanlaon. 

Local governments in Negros Occidental have implemented measures following the Phivolcs advisory. This includes class suspensions and barring human activity near the volcano. 

RELATED: Canlaon City suspends classes following Kanlaon Volcano's unrest

Live updates on Kanlaon Volcano can be viewed here.