By Lade Jean Kabagani | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has cautioned residents living near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros and Mt. Bulusan in Sorgoson to be prepared as the two volcanoes are showing signs of “phreatic or steam-driven explosions.”
In a virtual public briefing, Phivolcs officer-in-charge Director Renato Solidum Jr. said they have monitored a concerning “tornillo type volcanic earthquake” event around Kanlaon in the past several days.
“Ito po ay isang hugis turnilyo at ito po ang nagbibigay ng parang concern sa atin kasi kapag nakikita po natin iyon ay nagkakaroon ng phreatic or steam-driven explosion. At namamaga pa rin ang bulkan at iyon ay kailangan natin paghandaan (It is a screw shape and it gives us a sense of concern because when we see it, there is a phreatic or steam-driven explosion. And the volcano is still swollen and we need to prepare for that),” Solidum said.
He, however, noted that the recent activity of Mt. Kanlaon is not related to its rising magma.
Phivolcs is also seeing possible steam-driven explosions over Mt. Bulusan, he added.
“Katulad ng Bulkang Kanlaon, nakikita natin na posibleng magkaroon din ng steam-driven explosion ang Bulkang Bulusan at importante na pag-ingatan ito (Just like Mt. Kanlaon, we see that Bulusan Volcano could also have a steam-driven explosion and it is important to be careful),” Solidum said.
Solidum, meanwhile, said the volcanic activities of Kanlaon and Bulusan are not yet alarming, but reminded the residents to be ready and refrain from going close to the 4-kilometer permanent danger zones to prevent possible hazards.
“Wala tayong nakikitang masyadong explosive na eruptions kung sakali man, ito’y pawang maliliit pa lamang ang ating nakikita kasi nga ang signal naman ay hindi masyadong malaki at walang umaakyat na magma so kung steam o usok lang ang sasabog. Ang iitsa niya lang abo ay yung mga recycled materials mula sa crater (We don’t see any big explosive eruptions if ever, we only see small explosions because the signal is not very big and there is no rising magma so if ever, the explosion will only create steam or smoke. The ashes that it throws are only those recycled materials from the crater),” Solidum said.
The Kanlaon and Bulusan have maintained Alert Level 1 (abnormal) status.
Meanwhile, Solidum also urged the public to download and use Philvolc’s mobile application, HazardHunterPH, to map out any hazards in the country.
The application is used to generate assessment reports on the user’s location, featuring a summary of seismic, volcanic, and hydro-meteorological hazards, along with explanations and recommendations. (PNA)
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