104 tectonic quakes recorded in Kanlaon

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Kanlaon volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded on Tuesday 104 volcano-tectonic earthquakes on its western flank in just 24 hours.

An advisory from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) said that a magnitude 3 quake was felt 5:07 am Monday and was felt at Intensity II in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

The report noted the following activity at the volcano’s vent: “weak emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 300 meters before drifting northwest and southeast.”

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 438 tonnes/day.

Ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicated a slight deflation of the lower and mid slopes since January 2020, the report added.

“Short-term electronic tilt monitoring on the southeastern flanks recorded continuing deflation on the lower slopes but inflation on the mid slopes since April 2020. These parameters indicate that hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the edifice.”

Kanlaon Volcano is at Alert Level 1 which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) warned.

The local government units and the public are strongly reminded 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.