PHIVOLCS raises alert level on Kanlaon due to increased seismic activity, swelling of volcano

(Eagle News)–The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised an alert level 1 over Mt. Kanlaon due to what it said was  increased seismic activity and the swelling of the volcano.

Alert level 1 means the volcano is in an abnormal state.

In its advisory, PHIVOLCS said Kanlaon volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded a total of 80 volcanic earthquakes since March 9.

PHIVOLCS said this was dominated by 77 low-frequency events that are “associated with magmatic fluids beneath the edifice.”

PHIVOLCS said it was strongly monitoring the volcano, which was in a normal state, alert level 0, until then.

It strongly reiterated to  local government units and the public  that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone  be strictly prohibited due to “further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.”

Civil aviation authorities should also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit, PHIVOLCS said.