By Gabriela Baron
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 41 volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon on Sunday, July 3.
State volcanologists have monitored an “increase in activity” at the volcano since last week.
In an advisory, the Kanlaon Volcano Network said the tremors included seven “very shallow” tornillo signals that could be associated with volcanic gas movement along with the fractures within the upper volcanic slopes.
Furthermore, ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements indicate short-term slight inflation of the lower and mid slops since January.
“The increased seismic activity and short-term ground deformation are likely caused by shallow hydrothermal processes beneath the edifice that could generate phreatic or steam-driven eruptions from the summit crater,” Phivolcs said.
Kanlaon Volcano is placed under Alert Level 1, indicating a low level of unrest.
The agency likewise warned the public against entering the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone and the Extended Danger Zone.
Phivolcs also cautioned against sudden stream-driven or phreatic eruptions.
