MANILA: The public must not be complacent as Mount Kanlaon in Negros Island could still erupt, similar to what happened in June, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol said on Friday (Sept 20).
Last June 3, Phivolcs raised Mount Kanlaon’s status from alert level 1 to alert level 2 after an explosive eruption from its summit vent.
In a televised interview, Bacolcol said a similar activity could happen anytime.
"Right now, Kanlaon Volcano is under alert level 2, and its activities could still escalate further.
"Yes, it is still possible that it could erupt," said Bacolcol at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing when asked if there was a high chance of a phreatic eruption from the volcano again.
He also noted that a phreatic eruption is also possible even if the volcano is on alert level 0.
"That’s why our recommendation to our fellow citizens is not to enter the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, as a phreatic eruption could occur at any time," Bacolcol added.
As of September 19, the sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano’s crater currently average 8,932 metric tons a day. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
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