• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported an increased seismic activity at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island as it recorded 45 volcano-tectonic earthquakes on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Mari-Andylene Quintia, Phivolcs resident volcanologists stationed at Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, said the epicenter was recorded at the northwestern side of Kanlaon Volcano.
Intensities 1 to 4 were felt in the cities of La Carlota, Bago, and Bacolod in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
In an advisory, Phivolcs said the events ranged in strength between magnitude 0.6 and 3.9 and were generated at zero to 13 kilometers depths.
Quintia recalled that a swarm of volcanic quakes was recorded prior to the May 12 elections last year.
A day after, a moderate explosive eruption occurred at Kanlaon Volcano.
In June 2020, a swarm of volcanic quakes in the western side of the volcano edifice also took place.
However, the eruption occurred in June 2024.
Prior to the increased seismic activity of Kanlaon Volcano, Phivolcs recorded 12 ash emission events since Jan. 3 at the summit crater.
Philvolcs said the increase in VT events could lead to increased chances of steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, or short-lived weak to moderately explosive eruptions occurring at the summit that could generate life-threatening volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, and rockfall.
Alert Level 2 remains in effect at Kanlaon Volcano.
Quintia stressed the need for communities near the volcano to be alert at all times. | GB
