BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported yesterday that Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island has been showing signs of increased activity.
Phivolcs said that its Kanlaon Volcano Network or KVN, in a bulletin it issued at 2 p.m. of July 3, reportedly recorded 41 volcanic earthquakes around the summit area since June 30.
These included seven very shallow tornillo signals that could be associated with volcanic gas movement along with the fractures within the upper volcanic slopes, it added.
Phivolcs also said that ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicate short-term slight inflation of the lower and mid slopes since January 2022, consistent with continuous electronic tilt recording of inflation of the southeastern flanks since March.
It added that the increased seismic activity and short-term ground deformation are likely caused by shallow hydrothermal processes beneath the edifice that could generate phreatic or steam-driven eruptions from the summit crater.
Phivolcs reminded anew the public that Kanlaon Volcano remains at Alert Level 1, meaning it is at low-level unrest.
The local government units around Kanlaon volcano and the public have been strongly reminded by Phivolcs that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.
Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.*
