Mount Pinatubo in Central Luzon remained under Alert Level 1 as the volcano continued to exhibit low-level unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Saturday, March 6.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said Pinatubo Volcano’s monitoring network recorded six volcanic earthquakes during the 24-hour observation period.
“Alert Level 1 prevails over Pinatubo Volcano, which means that there is low-level unrest that may be related to tectonic processes beneath its edifice and that no imminent eruption is foreseen,” the agency said.
State seismologists warned that the entry into the Pinatubo’s crater area should be avoided if possible.
Communities and local government units surrounding Pinatubo were reminded to be prepared for both earthquake and volcanic hazards.
They were also told to review, prepare and strengthen their contingency, emergency and other disaster preparedness plans.
Phivolcs raised Alert Level 1 over Mount Pinatubo on March 4 due to the “persistence of seismic activities.”
This is the first time since 1996 that the volcano has been placed under such alert level.