By Ellalyn V. Ruiz
Mount Kanlaon continues to exhibit unrest as almost 600 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in a span of 24 hours.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Kanlaon’s seismic monitoring network recorded 578 volcanic earthquakes from 8 a.m Tuesday to 8 a.m. yesterday.
Phivolcs also observed moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose to 800 meters before it drifted northwest.
Ground deformation data from continuous Global Positioning Measurements indicate slight inflation of the volcano’s edifice since December 2015. Many volcanoes are known to have inflated before eruptions.
Sulfur dioxide emission was measured at an average of 603 tons per day from Dec. 12.
Phivolcs explained that sulfur dioxide emission tends to increase through time as magma degasses with increasing rates as it moves up from great depths beneath the volcano.
The volcano’s alert status remains at Level 2 which means the volcano is undergoing a moderate level of unrest.
