• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The earthquake in northern Cebu may open fractures inside the Kanlaon Volcano because of strong ground shaking.
This was noted on Monday, Oct. 13, by Ma. Antonia Bornas, chief of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Bornas, however, said there are no signs that it will have a significant effect to the restive volcano.
As of midnight of Oct. 12, Phivolcs recorded 55 volcanic quakes after a 30-minute ash emission at the crater Sunday morning.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake again jolted Cebu early Monday morning, which was also felt in varying intensities in Negros Island.
Bornas reported continuing signs of magma intrusion at Kanlaon Volcano, which may indicate magmatic eruption.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued a notice to airmen, which takes effect Oct. 13 to 14, following the activity of Kanlaon Volcano, prohibiting them from flying near the volcanic summit.
Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2.
Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Monday assured the public that recent tremors felt in different parts of the country are normal, because of active faults and trenches, adding that Phivolcs records at least 30 quakes daily.
Phivolcs also clarified that recent strong earthquakes in the country are not connected to ongoing volcanic activities.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said there is no direct relationship between tectonic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions or increased seismic activity.
“Strong tectonic earthquakes have no direct effect on volcanic eruption and increased seismic activity,” Bacolcol said.
He said volcanic eruptions occur only when there is enough pressure inside a volcano’s magma chamber to trigger an explosion. | GB with PNA reports
