Kanlaon Volcano update: 10 quakes in 24 hours, alert level 1 stays

Mt. Kanlaon (Photo from PHIVOLCS-DOST Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines – Ten volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

The main crater of the volcano, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, also emitted weak, white steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters high, according to Phivolc’s bulletin.

Sulfur dioxide emission, meanwhile, averaged 849 tons per day on April 12.

Phivolcs has also monitored a slight inflation of the lower and middle slopes since July 2020.

“These parameters may indicate hydrothermal, tectonic, or deep-seated magmatic processes occurring deep beneath the edifice,” Phivolcs said.

Kanlaon is currently under alert level 1, which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest.

The public is strongly advised not to enter the 4 – kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) due to possible sudden and hazardous eruptions. — Liezelle Soriano Roy, trainee

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