PHIVOLCS records 81 events linked to Kanlaon Volcano

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is currently monitoring a series of earthquakes on the west lower flanks of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island.

In a volcano advisory issued at 2 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2020, the agency noted that the series of events began at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

KANLAON VOLCANO ADVISORY
22 June 2020
02:00 A.M.#KanlaonVolcano pic.twitter.com/FsRhHVZzzd

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) June 21, 2020

The strongest quake was reported at 1:15 a.m. on Monday that was felt at Intensity V in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

At 2:06 a.m., an earthquake of tectonic origin was reported northeast of La Carlota City that had a depth of 4 kilometers.

The PHIVOLCS reported that Intensity II was also felt in Canlaon City.

There are no damages and no aftershocks expected.

Between Sunday and Monday, PHIVOLCS has recorded a total of 81 events on Negros Island.

The agency has assured the public that monitoring is ongoing.

"DOST-PHIVOLCS would like to assure the public especially the local communities surrounding Kanlaon that we are keeping close watch of the condition of the volcano and shall inform all concerned immediately should there be any further developments," the agency posted in its advisory.

Alert Level 1

PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Renato Solidum on Monday said even before the series of earthquakes over the weekend, Kanlaon Volcano was already under Alert Level 1.

"Bago pa man mangyari ang sunod-sunod na paglindol ay nasa Alert Level 1. Ito'y abnormal, posibleng magkaroon ng ... explosion," Solidum said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

Solidum said the series of earthquakes could be caused by the movement of a fault below the crater.

"Pero meron ding bahagyang pagtaas ng sulfur dioxide, pamamaga o inflation. Abnormal ang Kanlaon Volcano," he said.

The PHIVOLCS OIC said they are continuously monitoring the volcano's activity.

"Paminsan-minsan may mga lindol dahil sa faults na kumikilos. Ang titingnan natin e bakit siya gumagalaw. Baka ganyan lang," he said.

Solidum however said it looks like the earthquakes are becoming weaker.

"Mukhang pahupa ngayon, lumiliit ang magnitude," he said.

Solidum reminded the public that if Alert Level 1 and 0 have been raised, no one should enter the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone of a volcano.

"Lalo na ngayon tag-init, minsan may umaakyat na tao (sa Kanlaon). Bawal po muna," he said. —BAP/KG, GMA News