Highest emission logged at Kanlaon

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded an elevated volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the crater of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island on Friday.

- GILBERT BAYORAN, Romina Cabrera

Phivolcs logged an average of 5,397 tons of volcanic SO2 emission - the highest since instrumental gas monitoring began.

In an advisory, Phivolcs said that while Kanlaon has been degassing increased concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year - with an average rate of 1,897 tons per day - the emissions since the June 3 eruption has been particularly elevated at a current average of 3,175 tons per day.

It also said that the volcanic earthquake activity - an average of 10 events per day has persisted since the eruption.

"Ground deformation data from continuous GPS and electronic tilt measurements have been recording medium-term inflation of the Kanlaon edifice since March 2022 and a shorter-term inflation of the eastern flank since 2023, indicating slow but sustained pressurization within the volcano," Phivolcs reported.