Kanlaon Volcano experienced an explosive eruption on Tuesday, April 8, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
"The eruption is producing a voluminous bent plume approximately 4,000 meters tall that is drifting southwest. Pyroclastic density currents or PDCs descended the slopes on the general southern edifice based on IP and thermal camera monitor," said PHIVOLCS.
In an exclusive interview during Dos Por Dos, PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said the eruption was likely caused by the clogging of the volcano's mouth, noting that only a few earthquakes had been recorded in the past few days.
Two days ago, Bacolcol said PHIVOLCS recorded only two earthquakes and measured just 1,655 tons of sulfur dioxide. On April 7, the emission remained at 1,655 tons of sulfur dioxide per day.
Bacolcol compared the current eruption of Kanlaon to the one that occurred on December 9, when no earthquakes were recorded prior to the eruption.
"Most likely it's the same mechanism na nangyari noong December 9 eruption, few days before walang lindol," said Bacolcol.
The PHIVOLCS director outlined three possible scenarios that may happen in the coming days:
- Slow ascent of magma, with lava simply flowing out from the volcano’s crater.
- Rapid ascent of magma due to the release of pressure, allowing magma to rise continuously. This may result in an explosive eruption and could happen in just a few days. If this occurs, PHIVOLCS may raise the alert level from 3 to 4.
- The movement of magma stops, and volcanic activity ceases. In this case, they may lower the alert level from 3 to 2.
Currently, there is no need for evacuation, as Kanlaon Volcano remains within the 6-kilometer danger zone.
Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano.
