Mt. Kanlaon emits steam, 100+ earthquakes recorded

Mount Kanlaon, the Visayas region’s highest peak and its most active volcano, has showed renewed activity as it emitted steam plume columns and recorded more than 100 quakes over a 24-hour period, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday morning.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said that 136 volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded on the western flanks during a 24-hour observation period, with four of the earthquakes reaching magnitude 3.2 to 4.7. Intensities II to V in La Carlota and Bago City, Negros Occidental and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

It also noted activity at the volcano’s vent consisting of moderate emissions of white steam-laden plumes that rose 200 meters before drifting southwest, with sulfur dioxide emissions measured at an average of 438 tonnes per day on 13 June 2020.

According to the agency’s ground deformation data from continuous GPS measurements, a slight deflation of the volcano’s lower and mid slopes was noted since January 2020, while short-term electronic tilt monitoring on the southeastern flanks recorded continuing deflation on the lower slopes but inflation on the mid slopes since April 2020.

Phivolcs, which has placed Mount Kanlaon on Alert Level 1 in 11 March, said these parameters indicate that hydrothermal or magmatic activity is occurring beneath the volcano’s edifice.

The agency said it continues to monitor Kanlaon’s activity.

Meanwhile, Solidum said Mayon Volcano in Albay is still shows signs of unrest with its crater red and swelling.