Mt. Kanlaon Under Alert Level 1 with Recently Increased Activity

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported an increase in activity in Mt. Kanlaon. A volcano that sits in between two of the island’s provinces; Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

Recent Activities of Mt. Kanlaon

PHILVOLCS announced last Friday that a total of 18 volcanic earthquakes were recorded within the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, Kanlaon Volcano Network (KVN) said in an advisory, that the tremors included four very shallow tornillo signals associated with magmatic gas movement along with fractures within the upper volcanic slopes. Before this, a very weak to moderate degassing activity from the crater and low steam-laden plumes that rose only 200 meters before drifting northwest was observed last January 16, 2022.

Further, ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicate short-term slight inflation of the edifice since mid-October 2021.

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

DOST-PHILVOLCS also warned the public that Kanlaon Volcano is at Alert Level 1, which means that it is in an abnormal condition. The local government units and the public are strongly reminded that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Kanlaon Volcano’s activity and any new development will be relayed to all concerned.