Frequency of Kanlaon earthquakes slows down

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHivolcs) said the number of volcanic earthquakes around Mt. Kanlaon volcano is dropping.

According to the latest update based on a 24-hour observation from June 27 to 28, 2020, Phivolcs recorded 30 volcano-tectonic earthquakes on the western flanks of Kanlaon and one volcanic quake near the volcano’s summit area.

Kanlaon continues to emit white steam-laden plumes rising 300 meters before drifting northwest, it said.

The volume of sulfur dioxide emission also dropped to around 116 tonnes a day.

The volcano’s southeastern flanks also recorded continuing deflation on the lower slopes but inflation on the mid slopes since April 2020, indicating hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the edifice.

Phivolcs resident volcanologist Engineer Mari-Andylene Quintia, said they recorded only six volcano-tectonic earthquakes from Friday and Saturday

Quintia said the tremors were all aftershocks created by the magnitude 4.7 earthquake last Monday.

Even though the number of tremors is dropping, Quintia said they continue to monitor the volcano, due to the possibility of a stronger earthquake.

Kanlaon Volcano is at Alert Level 1, which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest.