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Increased Kanlaon volcano activity reported

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BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Mount Kanlaon as viewed from La Castellana, Negros Occidental. PHIVOLCS has reported increased activity at the active volcano.* Nic Ledesma/CCN file photo

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported yesterday an increase of activity of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.

Phivolcs said it recorded 18 volcanic earthquakes within the last 24 hours

These included four very shallow tornillo signals that are associated with magmatic gas movement along fractures within the upper volcanic slopes, it added.

Phivolcs further said 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.

Degassing activity from the crater has been very weak to moderate and low steam-laden plumes that rose only 200 meters before drifting northwest were last observed on January 16.

In addition, ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicate short-term slight inflation of the edifice since mid-October 2021.

Kanlaon Volcano remains at Alert Level 1, which means that it is at an abnormal condition.

Phivolcs strongly reminded local government units and the public that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities 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.*

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