29 volcanic earthquakes recorded in Mt. Kanlaon

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – At least 29 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Mount Kanlaon in Negros Oriental during the last two days, according to a report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology yesterday.

Phivolcs said the volcanic earthquakes were detected from 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday, after an ash eruption occurred at 1:29 p.m. Sunday and lasted for about five minutes.

Phivolcs said  the explosion-type earthquake was felt at Intensity 2 at Barangay Cabagnaan in La Castellana town, at Barangays Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City, and at Barangay Ilijan in Bago City, all in Negros Occidental.

During the ash explosion, rumbling sound was also heard at Barangay Cabagnaan, La Castellana  and Barangays Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City, both in Negros Occidental.

Phivolcs noted that the eruption plume was observed through cloud cover, as traces of light ashfall were reported in La Carlota City, and towns of Pontevedra, La Castellana, and Hinigaran, in this province and Guimaras in Panay island. Sulfuric odor was reportedly detected by the La Carlota City Volcano Observatory.

Since November 23, Mount Kanlaon was placed under Alert Level 1, which means that it was at an abnormal condition and period of unrest.

The agency reiterated its call to the public not to enter into the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone and reminded the pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit due to the possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. (FREEMAN)