BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA and ADRIAN STEWART CO
BACOLOD City – A total of 104 volcano-tectonic earthquakes and weak steaming were recorded at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental over a 24-hour period, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
In an advisory released Tuesday, Phivolcs said the epicenters of these temblors were all recorded at the western flanks of the volcano, which remains under Alert Level 1.
Majority of the tremors were minor, although one earthquake, a magnitude 3, was recorded at 5:07 a.m. yesterday and was felt at Intensity II in La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, it added.
Observers also noted the volcano has a released weak emission of white steam-laden plume which rose to 300 meters before drifting to the southeast.
Ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicated 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.
The parameters were noted to indicate that hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the edifice.
Earlier on Monday, parts of Negros Occidental were jolted by a magnitude 4.7 earthquake waking up local residents from their slumber and prompting evacuations in high-rise buildings in Bacolod City.
The Kanlaon volcano had been placed on Alert Level 1 since March of this year due to abnormal conditions observed by volcanologists.
Phivolcs director, Dr. Renato Solidum, said the tremors were caused by the movement of a fault line located below the crater of the volcano.
“Talagang abnormal ang Kanlaon Volcano, pero babantayan natin ng mabuti. Itong mga serye ng paglindol ay dagdag na parametro para makonsidera sa pagbabantay sa bulkan,” Solidum explained.
The Phivolcs chief further explained the tremors are now getting smaller in magnitude, although they will continue monitoring the volcano’s activity.
Kanlaon Volcano is located between the borders of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. At 2,465 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in Negros Island and in the Visayas./PN
