Kanlaon records 578 quakes

MOUNT Kanlaon registered 578 low frequency quakes in the last 24 hours as of December 13 under the Alert Level 2 status.

Zephard Caelian, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD), said they are waiting for the laboratory results of ash samples taken from the volcano to determine if there’s already a need to raise the alert level status.

Caelian said that despite the increasing number of low frequency volcanic quakes, Phivolcs assured the public not to worry.

“It is a normal hydrologic activity of the volcano caused by water that reacts to the hard hot rocks inside,” he added.

“Right now, the steaming activity continues and Phivolcs is closely monitoring the volcano’s activity,” Caelian said.

The Office of the Civil Defense-Western Visayas will do the simulation and drill in preparation for the worst-case scenario.

“But as what Governor Alfredo Marañon said, we should always pray and prepare especially this time when there is this abnormal activity of the volcano and a tropical depression,” Caelian said.

Phivolcs again reminded local government units, and the public as well, that entry in the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited due to the possible sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions.

The Civil Aviation Authorities of the Philippines must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, it said.

Directly affected under the four-kilometer danger zone are the cities of San Carlos, Bago, and La Carlota and the towns of Murcia, La Castellana, Moises Padilla and Salvador Benedicto, the PDMPD added.