Increased ash emissions reduce chance of an explosive Kanlaon – Phivolcs

SCREENGRABBED FROM FOOTAGE SHARED BY PHIVOLCS-DOST/FACEBOOK

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The continuous ash and gas emissions at Mt. Kanlaon indicate that the volcano is highly active, but they also serve as a “good sign” that its vents are not clogged, a state volcanologist said on Wednesday, June 17.

Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), explained that an open-vent system allows the volcano to safely degas.

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“If the vents are clogged and the volcano fails to degas, the chances of an explosive eruption occurring are higher,” Quintia said. “It is better for the volcano to be open-vented so it can continue releasing pressure.”FEATURED STORIES