Kanlaon volcano found in abnormal state
MANILA – Government scientists from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) declared the 2,435-meter Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island under Alert Level No. 1 after their seismic monitoring network recorded seven (7) volcanic earthquakes during the last 24 hours.
In a statement released at 8:00 A.M. today, PHIVOLCS said their ground deformation data from their continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements showed a long-term slow inflation of the structure since 2017 while short-term electronic tilt monitoring on the southeaster side recorded slow inflation of the lower slopes since May 2019 and pronounced inflation of the upper slopes during the last days of January 2020.
“These parameters indicate that hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring deep beneath the edifice,” the PHIVOLCS statement revealed.
Alert Level 1 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano which means it is in its abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest. PHIVOLCS said the local government units and the public are strongly reminded that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDS) must be strict prohibited due to possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic explosions.
Civil aviation authorities ought to remind pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit due to a possible sudden phreatic eruption which can be hazardous to aircraft. PHIVOLCS, an agency under the Department of Science and Technology said they will closely monitor Kanlaon’a activity with the assured that new developments will be relayed to the concerned agencies. (Melo M. Acuña)
Mt. Kanlaon. (PNA Photo)