Screengrab from a video taken a day after the eruption of Kanlaon volcano on June 4, 2024. Photo courtesy of Ethan Asentista-Khoo/FileMANILA — State volcanologists warned on Monday that there could be an increased chance of Kanlaon volcano eruption as they observed pronounced swelling of the volcano's structure that could signal magmatic intrusion.

Kanlaon volcano on Negros island has been at level 2 of its 5-step alert system since June 3 or when it exploded for minutes and sent a plume of ash, rocks, and gases into the sky.

Alert Level 2 for Kanlaon means there is probable magmatic intrusion that may lead to "explosive" eruptions or even precede "hazardous" magmatic eruption at the summit crater, according to seismology agency Phivolcs.

"Kanlaon has been undergoing slow but sustained inflation or swelling since 2022 based on continuous GPS and electronic tilt measurements, indicating long-term pressurization within the volcano," Phivolcs said in its advisory.

It said monitoring of the volcano showed a "pronounced increase in the inflation or swelling of the edifice for the past month."

If quake activity and elevated sulfur dioxide emission persist at Kanlaon volcano, Phivolcs said the latest changes in the volcano's ground deformation parameters "could further indicate that magmatic intrusion beneath the edifice may be taking place, warning of increased chances of eruptive activity taking place."

The 4-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone of Kanlaon volcano remains off-limits to minimize risks from potential volcanic hazards.

READ: FACT CHECK: ‘Di nagbuga ng lava ang Mt. Kanlaon noong Hunyo 3, 2024