There was a spike in volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island reported today, February 15.
Kanlaon Volcano’s monitoring network recorded 26 volcanic earthquakes during the 24-hour observation period, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported this morning.
Phivolcs reported seven volcanic earthquakes on Sunday.
Mari Andylene Qunitia, Kanlaon Volcano resident volcanologist, said this means there is a possibility that hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions could occur.
“There is a possibility, it does not mean it will happen,” she said
While the public should not take the situation lightly there is no need to panic, she said, pointing out that Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 1.
Phivolcs, in its advisory today, again reminded the public that entry into Kanlaon’s 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.
Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, it reiterated.*