Mt. Kanlaon volcanic quakes drop anew

FILE: On November 15, the PHIVOLCS raised the alert status of Mount Kanlaon from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 after it recorded 279 volcanic earthquakes. (Photo: By Studphil – Own work, Public Domain)

BACOLOD CITY —  Volcanic quakes recorded by the seismic monitoring network of Mount Kanlaon decreased to only nine as of Tuesday almost a week after its moderate level of unrest.

The series of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) bulletins showed there were 10 volcanic quakes on November 20, 19 and 17, reflecting a significant decline from the 210 volcanic earthquakes recorded on November 16.

On November 15, the PHIVOLCS raised the alert status of Mount Kanlaon from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 after it recorded 279 volcanic earthquakes.

Despite the notable decline in the number of volcanic earthquakes in the past days, Alert Level 2 status prevails over the volcano, which means that the volcano is undergoing a moderate level of unrest, the PHIVOLCS said.

Zeaphard Gerhart Caelian, head of Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division, said on Tuesday a pre-disaster risk assessment on the status of the active volcano would be held on Wednesday with the concerned local government units (LGUs) and government agencies.

Caelian had earlier said that LGUs seen to be affected already laid their evacuation plans, including the setting up of drop-off points and evacuation centers.

The LGUs have been instructed to submit the list of “what they need” to the Office of Civil Defense-Region 6 and the provincial government.

Localities covered by the four-kilometer permanent danger zone are the cities of San Carlos, Bago and La Carlota; and the municipalities of Murcia, La Castellana, Moises Padilla and Salvador Benedicto. (PNA)