37 quakes rock Kanlaon volcano in 24 hours

Alert level 3 remains hoisted over Kanlaon after 37 earthquakes rocked the volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Monday. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the agency cannot lower the alert level for now due to lack of a downtrend in volcanic activity. “Hindi pa natin pwedeng ibababa (alert level) for now kasi walang nakikitang downtrend. The possibility of eruption is possible,” he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. He added that Kanlaon has long intervals in between eruptive activities. Phivolcs recorded 3,639 tons of sulphur dioxide emissions from Kanlaon in the past 24 hours, which is lower than the 7,000 tons of sulphur emissions recorded lately. “Elevated pa rin ito kung titingnan ang background ng Kanlaon volcano. ‘Yung pinakamataas na steaming na naitala natin ay 700 meters kahapon,” he said The volcano also emitted a steam plume reaching 500 meters, which drifted south-southwest. Phivolcs has extended the danger zone around Kanlaon volcano to 6 kilometers.