81 quakes logged at Mount Kanlaon

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• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the possibility of a volcanic event at Mt. Kanlaon, following the occurrence of 81 volcano-tectonic (VT) quakes, which started early morning on Thursday, Oct. 16.

This was disclosed by Ma. Antonia Bornas, chief of Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, saying there is a possibility of another minor explosive eruption or ash emission as a result of the series of seismic activities.

In a telephone interview, Bornas said the volcanic activity remains a prediction as scientists cannot say when it will happen.

“But there is a possibility and the chance is increasing. It can happen anytime,” she added.

The VT earthquakes were recorded between 12 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Oct. 16, with magnitudes between 0.1 and 2.9.

According to Phivolcs, the tremors were as deep as six kilometers beneath the northwestern flank of the volcano.

“VTs are generated by rock fracturing processes, and the increase in VT activity strongly indicates progressive rock-fracturing beneath the volcano as rising magma or magmatic gas drives a path towards the surface,” it said.

These parameters indicate that the blockade of volcano gas emission may result in pressurization and swelling of the edifice potentially leading to moderately explosive eruption, Phivolcs added.

Mt. Kanlaon emitted 1,879 tons of volcanic sulfur dioxide from the summit on Oct. 15.

Aside from the VT quakes, small earthquakes, from magnitude 1.6 to 2.3, were also experienced by some localities, including La Carlota City, Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinigaran and Murcia towns on Thursday. | GB