PHIVOLCS records 41 volcanic quakes at Kanlaon since June 30

Kanlaon Volcano had 41 volcanic earthquakes since June 30, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported Sunday afternoon.

In an advisory, the Kanlaon Volcano Network (KVN) said the tremors included seven very shallow tornillo signals associated with volcanic gas movement along fractures within the upper volcanic slopes.

Further, it noted that ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicated short-term slight inflation of the lower and mid slopes since January 2022.

“These are consistent with continuous electronic tilt recording of inflation of southeastern flanks since mid of March 2022,” the PHIVOLCS said.

“The increased seismic activity and short-term ground deformation are likely caused by the shallow hydrothermal processes beneath the edifice that could generate phreatic or steam-driven eruptions from the summit crater,” it added.

PHIVOLCS reminded the public that Kanlaon Volcano was at Alert Level 1. This meant that the volcano was at a low level of unrest.

Nevertheless, the institute warned local government units and the public that entry into the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.

PHIVOLCS also urged civil aviation authorities to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. — DVM, GMA News