The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported more volcanic tectonic (VT) earthquakes and ash emissions at Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday, Jan. 15.
The volcano emitted ash twice, and 36 VTs were recorded from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Mari-Andylene Quintia, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Mt. Kanlaon Observatory in La Carlota City, said.
The first ash emission lasted from 6:37 a.m. to 9:25 a.m., and the second occurred from 2:12 p.m. to 2:35 p.m., she said.
There were also 78 VTs recorded from 12 a.m. Wednesday to 12 a.m. Thursday, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said.
The increase in VTs indicates progressive rock-fracturing beneath the volcano as rising magma or magmatic gas drives a path toward the surface, he explained.
“We have to see if this will escalate in the next few days,” Bacolcol said.
The increase in VT events could lead to steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, or short-lived weak to moderately explosive eruptions, rather than sustained large eruptions, he said.
Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, and residents must stay vigilant, he said.*