Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr.
MANILA -- The earthquakes recorded in Kanlaon Volcano for the past 24 hours are not destructive, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said on Monday.
Phivolcs recorded 136 volcano-tectonic earthquakes on the western flanks, and four of these earthquakes were recorded at magnitudes 3.2 to 4.7 and were felt at Intensities 2 to 5 in La Carlota and Bago City, both in Negros Occidental; and in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
"The recorded earthquake events, although felt, are not destructive. The earthquakes are caused by movement of a fault in the lower slopes of the volcano. These do not indicate magma movement yet," Solidum told PNA in an online interview.
He added that Phivolcs would monitor the seismic activity if this will persist, or whether there will be changes in the type and migration of earthquakes beneath the summit.
Kanlaon Volcano has been under Alert Level 1 status since March 11. He said this means the volcano is under an abnormal condition, and there is a possibility of sudden and hazardous stream-driven eruption or phreatic eruptions.
Solidum urged the public not to panic but be vigilant.
"Local government units and the public are reminded that entry into the 4-km. radius Permanent Danger Zone is prohibited. Phivolcs is closely monitoring Kanlaon, and any new development will be relayed to all concerned," he said.
Earlier, Phivolcs recorded moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 200 meters before drifting southwest.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 438 tonnes/day on June 13, it added.
Volcanic plume is a column of hot volcanic ash and gas emitted into the atmosphere during an explosive volcanic eruption. (PNA)
