BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert level on Kanlaon Volcano in Negros from one to two following an increase in volcanic activities.
In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs said the volcano is ”undergoing a moderate level of unrest with probable intrusion of magma at a depth, which may or may not lead to magmatic eruption.”
At least 279 “deep”volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours.
Phivolcs raised the alert level from zero to one last August following an increase in the number of volcanic quakes. However, the agency said there was no visible steaming from the active vent.
Phivolcs said the restiveness of the volcano could develop into a steam-driven or phreatic explosion.
Residents were advised against entering the four-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruption.
Pilots should also avoid flying near the volcano’s summit as any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. – With Helen Flores