Phivolcs keeping close watch on Kanlaon Volcano in Negros
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:24 a.m.) — State volcanologists are monitoring closely the situation at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros island after a series of earthquakes jolted the area.
In a bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said 136 volcano-tectonic earthquakes have been recorded on Kanlaon’s western flanks in the past 24 hours.
Four events were registered between magnitudes 3.2 and 4.7 and were felt at intensities II (slightly felt) to V (strong) in the cities of La Carlota and Bago in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Kanlaon also emitted white steam-laden plumes that rose 200 meters before drifting southwest.
Phivolcs noted that deflation on the volcano’s lower slopes but inflation on the mid slopes are among the parameters that “hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the edifice.”
In an earlier advisory, Phivolcs said it is “keeping close watch of the condition of the volcano and shall inform all concerned immediately should there be any further developments.”
Last March 11, state volcanologists raised the status of Kanlaon to Alert Level 1, which signifies “abnormal” condition as the volcano entered a period of unrest.
The public is warned against entry into Kanlaon’s four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone due to possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven eruptions.
Kanlaon, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is one of the active volcanoes in the country.
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