The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised alert level 1 on Mount Pinatubo due to the persistence of seismic activity.
According to PHIVOLCS, there is “low-level unrest” that can be related to “tectonic processes beneath the volcano” that has caused the raising of alert level from 0 to 1. However, the institute stated that no imminent eruption is foreseen.
The agency disclosed that since January 20, 2021, the Pinatubo Volcano Network (PVN) has detected a total of 1,722 “imperceptible earthquakes beneath the Pinatubo edifice”. “Slight increases in the temperatures of monitored fumaroles or gas vents” were also recorded.
PHIVOLCS warned that entry into the crater of Mt. Pinatubo must be conducted with extreme caution and if possible, must be avoided.
“Communities and local government units surrounding Pinatubo are reminded to be always prepared for both earthquake and volcanic hazards and to review, prepare and strengthen their contingency, emergency and other disaster preparedness plans, ” PHIVOLCS advised.
PHIVOLCS assured the close monitoring of the volcano and will inform the public if any new development is reported.
-PTV News Online
