BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has advised local government units (LGUs) surrounding Kanlaon volcano to review their disaster preparedness plans.
The volcano exhibited increasing activity over the past few days.
PHIVOLCS director Dr. Renato Solidum said they currently do not see a need to increase Kanlaon’s Alert Level; however, he emphasized that local chief executives better revisit their disaster preparedness plans.
Kanlaon volcano straddles the border shared by Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. At 2,465 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in Negros Island and in the Visayas.
Solidum said a phreatic eruption is possible, pointing out the steaming activity in the volcano.
The PHIVOLCS director also reminded LGUs to bar people from entering the four-kilometer danger zone.
On July 6, PHIVOLCS monitored 15 volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon.
PHIVOLCS also previously noted seven tornillo signals which, according to them, were likely a representation of the movement of volcanic gas/magmatic fluids from the fractures within the upper slopes.
Kanlaon, part of the Negros Volcanic Belt, is a large stratovolcano dotted with numerous flank cones and craters, many of which contain lakes. The volcano is the most active in Central and Western Visayas./PN
