Metro Manila, Philippines – A restive volcano on Negros Island released a higher amount of toxic gas that endangered villages in its immediate vicinity, government volcanologists said on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
According to the latest bulletin from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Kanlaon Volcano more than doubled its emission of sulfur dioxide from the previous eruption, affecting a number of barangays in La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental. Additionally, the Kanlaon Volcano Network recorded 15 volcanic earthquakes.
“Kanlaon has been releasing elevated concentrations of volcanic [sulfur dioxide] this year,” Phivolcs reported.
Sulfur dioxide can cause respiratory problems such as bronchitis, and can irritate your nose, throat and lungs.
“Monitoring data indicates that shallow magmatic processes beneath Kanlaon are driving the ongoing unrest, leading to persistent volcanic gas emissions, continuous earthquake activity, and noticeable swelling of the volcano’s edifice,” state volcanologists added.
Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, indicating increasing unrest.
Phivolcs has advised the public to remain vigilant and avoid entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone to avoid potential volcanic hazards.
