After 136 Earthquakes in 24 Hours, Philippines Volcano Enters 'Period of Unrest'

Mount Kanlaon is the highest point in Negros Island

After 136 Earthquakes in 24 Hours, Philippines Volcano Enters 'Period of Unrest'

The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Monday that it was monitoring Mount Kanlaon in Negros Occidental province after it recorded over 130 earthquakes since Sunday.

The institute issued a statement reminding the public that Kanlaon Volcano remains on alert level 1, "which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest", reports Xinhua news agency

"The local government units and the public are strongly reminded that entry into the 4-km radius permanent danger zone must be strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions," the institute warned.

The Phivolcs said that it has recorded 136 volcano-tectonic earthquakes. Earthquakes caused by the movement of magma beneath the surface of the Earth on the western flanks during the 24-hour observation period.

It added that four of these earthquakes recorded between 1 a.m. to 2.06 a.m. on Monday were felt in La Carlota City and Bago City in Negros Occidental province and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental province.

"Activity at the vent consisted of moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 200 meters before drifting southwest," the statement read.

Moreover, the institute said the volcano emitted sulfur dioxide on June 13 and has observed ground deformation, indicating a slight deflation of the lower and mid slopes since January 2020.

"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.

"Phivolcs would like to assure the public especially the local communities in Negros Island that we are keeping a close watch and shall inform all concerned of any further developments," the institute said in a statement.

On March 11, the institute raised the alert level over Mount Kanlaon.

Mount Kanlaon is the highest point in Negros Island, as well as the whole Visayas region, with an elevation of 2,465 metres above sea level.

In January this year, Taal volcano in Batangas province, south of Manila, erupted, displacing thousands of residents in the province and nearby provinces.

As an active earthquake zone, the Philippines has frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire". The Philippine archipelago has at least 24 active volcanoes.

Philippines villagers brace as volcano grows restive

Philippine villagers near a restive volcano on a central island are bracing for possible evacuations that would require physical distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic, an official said Wednesday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it detected dozens of small earthquakes on the western flank of Kanlaon volcano, which emitted plumes of steam up to 300 meters (980 feet) in the air overnight. Kanlaon on Negros island is one of about two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines: Philippines villagers near a restive volcano on a central island are bracing for possible evacuations that would require physical distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic, an official said Wednesday.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it detected dozens of small earthquakes on the western flank of Kanlaon volcano, which emitted plumes of steam up to 300 meters (980 feet) in the air overnight. Kanlaon on Negros island is one of about two dozen active volcanoes in the Philippines.

Those signs, along with a slight bulging of Kanlaon’s slope, “indicate that hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the edifice,” the institute said. It added that the volcano “is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest.”

Zeaphard Caelian, who heads the disaster response agency in Negros Occidental province, said authorities issued an initial alert in March after Kanlaon began showing signs of restiveness, which intensified last weekend.

More than 20,000 people in eight villages within 6 to 12 kilometers (4 to 7 miles) of Kanlaon would have to be evacuated if the volcano shows signs of an imminent eruption. Officials are identifying evacuation centers where physical distancing could be observed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Caelian said.

The Philippines has reported more than 32,000 confirmed coronavirus infections, including 1,204 deaths, among the highest in Southeast Asia.

The volcano-monitoring institute warned the public from venturing into a permanent 4-kilometer (2.4-mile) danger zone around Kanlaon due to possible sudden eruptions of steam. It advised airplanes to avoid flying close to the summit of the 2,465-meter (8,087-foot) mountain.