Kanlaon, Pinatubo log volcanic quakes in 24 hours
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) logged four earthquakes in Mt. Kanlaon and eight earthquakes in Mt. Pinatubo in the past 24 hours.
In separate volcanic bulletins issued on Saturday, May 1, Philvolcs maintained Alert Level 1 over the two volcanoes due to "abnormal" conditions.
Sulfur dioxide emission was measured at an average of 946 tonnes per day on Thursday, April 29.
"Ground deformation data from continuous GPS and electronic tilt measurements have been recording a slight inflation of the lower and middle slopes since June 2020,” Phivolcs said.
"These parameters may indicate hydrothermal, tectonic, or deep-seated magmatic processes occurring deep beneath the edifice,” it noted.
It reminded the public that Kanlaon Volcano remained at Alert Level 1, which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest.
"The local government units and the public are strongly reminded that entry into the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions,” Phivolcs said.
Civil aviation authorities were told to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
Likewise, Phivolcs maintained Alert Level 1 status over Mt. Pinatubo, which recorded eight earthquakes during the 24-hour observation period.
"Alert Level 1 (Abnormal) 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,” it said.
It said entry into the Pinatubo Crater area must be conducted with extreme caution and should be avoided if possible.
"Communities and local government units surrounding Pinatubo are reminded to be always prepared for both earthquake and volcanic hazards and to review, prepare and strengthen their contingency, emergency and other disaster preparedness plans,” Phivolcs said.