Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island continues to exhibit a moderate level of unrest as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 53 volcanic earthquakes from Saturday to yesterday.
The volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded the earthquakes in 24 hours from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. yesterday.
Phivolcs said there was no degassing activity observed during times when the summit crater was visible.
However, ground deformation data from continuous global positioning system measurements indicate slight inflation of the edifice since December 2015.
Many volcanoes are known to have inflated before eruptions.
Last Nov. 15, Phivolcs raised Kanlaon Volcano’s alert level to two, which means it is volcano is undergoing a moderate level of unrest.
Phivolcs warned that there is a probable intrusion of magma at depth which may or may not lead to a magmatic eruption.
It reminded the concerned local government units and the public of the strict entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone.
The entry into the PDZ is strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, Phivolcs said.
Civil aviation authorities were asked to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
According to Phivolcs, Mount Kanlaon had 30 eruptions in history and the last time was in June 18, 2016. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz)