IN THE past 24 hours, 33 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano in Negros Island Region.
Jay Jamello, science research specialist of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) based in Negros Occidental, said there is still steaming activity from the summit, adding that the crater is emitting a white steam smoke, but there's no ashfall.
The emitted white steam plumes, which rose up to 800 meters, drifted to northwest and southwest, he said.
Even if there are rains, the steaming activity in the crater continues, Jamello added.
He said they are also monitoring open water sources at the slopes of the volcano, as it may be contaminated by the ashfall coming from its eruption last June 18.
For now, there are no reports that rivers and streams were affected by the ashfall, he said.
On June 22, Mount Kanlaon had a series of eruptions that lasted for 27 minutes. After the eruption, light ashfall was monitored on the western slopes of the volcano, affecting Barangays Ara-al, San Miguel and Yubo in La Carlota City, Barangay Sag-ang in La Castellana, and Barangay Ilijan in Bago City.
Also on March 29, Mount Kanlaon recorded two minor eruptions, which were accompanied by a "booming sound" and two volcanic tremors. It also ejected incandescent materials.
Mount Kanlaon remained under Alert Level 1 status, which means it is at an abnormal condition and is in period of current unrest, which is probably driven by hydrothermal process that could generate more minor eruptions, Phivolcs said.
Mount Kanlaon has been on unsettling status since November 23 last year.
Phivolcs reiterated its call that entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited due to further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or minor ash eruption.
Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit, Phivolcs added.