Philvocs monitoring Kanlaon Volcano after recording 81 earthquakes

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) are closely monitoring the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island after the state volcanologists recorded tremors in the area.

As of 2 a.m., Philvocs recorded a total of 81 earthquakes in the west lower flanks of the volcano.

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“This [series of earthquakes] began at 4:03 p.m. on June 21 with the largest registering at magnitude 4.7 at 1:15 a.m. on Monday and was felt at Intensity V at La Carlota City, Negros Occidental,” Phivolcs said in a statement.

According to Phivolcs officer-in-charge director Renato Solidum Jr., the current interpretation of these series of tremors is due to faults movement on the lower part of Kanlaon’s crater, which they are closely watching.

“Sa kasalukuyan ang ating interpretation diyan ay ang pagkilos ng fault ngunit mayroon ding mga kakaibang parameters na binibigay independently ang Kanlaon Volcano katulad ng bahagyang pagtaas ng sulfur dioxide at ang patuloy na pamamaga o inflation,” Solidum said.

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(Our interpretation, for now, is because there is a movement of fault, but there are also unique parameters that Kanlaon Volcano is showing, such as the slight increase in sulfur dioxide emissions and the volcano’s constant inflation.)

Also read: Kanlaon Volcano now on Alert Level 1

Solidum added hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath Kanlaon’s edifice which was indicated by “slight deflation of the lower and mid slopes since January this year, and the continuing deflation on the lower slopes but inflation on the mid slopes since April 2020” on its volcano bulletin issued Monday morning.

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“DOST-Phivolcs would like to assure the public, especially the local communities surrounding Kanlaon, that we are keeping close watch of the condition of the volcano and shall inform all concerned immediately should there be any further developments,” the agency said in its advisory.

Kanlaon is still under Alert Level 1 since March. It means that the volcano is at an “abnormal condition” and has entered a period of unrest.

Aside from Kanlaon Volcano, the Philvocs is also closely monitoring other active volcanoes in the Philippines, including Mayon in Albay, which is currently at Alert Level 2 or a “moderate level of unrest.”

“Patuloy ang pamamaga ng Mayon at ang pamumula ng crater. Hindi pa masyadong matingkad pero ito ay senyales na may mainit na source o magma o gas sa tuktok,” he explained.

(Inflammation continues in Mayon, and its crater is still red. Though the color is still not vivid, this means that there is a source of magma or hot gas at the top of the volcano.)