Kanlaon records rise in seismic activity

Mt. Kanlaon, one of the country’s active volcanoes, is calm in this photo taken in February 2022. Government volcanologists have been closely monitoring the volcano due to increased volcanic activity recently. —Ronnie Baldonado/contributor

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — Volcanologists have cautioned the public of an increased activity at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island even if it is not releasing steam plumes.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Kanlaon recorded 24 volcano-tectonic or VT earthquakes between 1:35 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on May 26, which occurred at depths of up to 6 kilometers beneath the western flank of its edifice.

READ: Phivolcs detects increased seismic activity in Kanlaon Volcano

Kanlaon’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the summit crater had been elevated since Jan. 1, averaging 1,291 tons a day with the latest SO2 measurement on Sunday averaging 2,003 tons per day, Phivolcs said.

READ: Fire at Mt. Kanlaon rages for 2 days now

The ongoing VT earthquake activity indicated shallow rock-fracturing on the edifice, which may lead to further unrest, Phivolcs added.

Phivolcs reminded the public that alert level 1 still prevailed over Kanlaon, indicating that the volcano’s condition remained abnormal.

Kanlaon, which straddles Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is one of the active volcanoes in the country and the highest peak in the Visayas (2,464.92 meters or 8,087 feet above sea level). —Carla P. Gomez