Kanlaon Volcano Degassing Monitored Closely

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – An official from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said they are closely monitoring the degassing activity of Kanlaon Volcano.

Phivolcs La Carlota City officer-in-charge Mari-Andylene Quintia told reporters Friday that no ashfall was reported, but an “ashing event” was recorded around 10 to 11 a.m. that day.

She said the drift direction remains northwest, affecting Murcia town and Bago City.

“The output isn’t that much, and it didn’t generate a lot of ash, but five bursts (pusnga) were observed,” Quintia noted.

She explained that the ashing is part of the volcano’s degassing process.

“In the release from the volcano, we observed a change in color – the ash mixed in with the degassing, making it slightly grayish with a hint of ash,” Quintia said.

On Thursday, Quintia reported three degassing events: two in the morning and one in the afternoon.

“Just small puffs, ashing only, with no ashfall observed in the release,” she added.

The sulfur odor was strong in several areas, including Bago and La Carlota cities, according to Quintia.

“It’s quite intense and has a strong smell,” she said.

On Thursday, work was suspended at the Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ilijan, Bago City, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Merinje Ortizo.

Ortizo said the 18 tourism employees assigned to the park and nature center were instructed not to report to work.

Phivolcs recorded two more ashing events on Thursday as the degassing of Kanlaon Volcano continued.

Also noted were 14 volcanic quakes and the emission of 4,099 tons of sulfur dioxide on Nov. 6.