THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Thursday abnormalities in Mt. Kanlaon are still ongoing thus Alert Level 1 in the area remains.
Alert Level 1 means the volcano is at an “abnormal condition and is in a period of unrest” thus a 4-kilometer Danger Zone should be observed.
Mt. Kanlaon was placed under Alert Level 1 since Monday night, following a steam explosion from the volcano’s summit crater.
Phivolcs analyst Ben Tanatan said that Kanlaon volcano continues to spew ashes as high as 150 to 200 meters from the crater.
In the last 24 hours, Phivolcs recorded four seismic quakes but these were felt by the residents in areas around the volcano, he said.
Meanwhile, emergency preparedness is still conducted by the respective local government units in areas near the volcano.
Based on the Kanlaon Volcano hazard map, nearest areas that could be affected in case of eruption are Canlaon City in Negros Oriental; and La Carlota City, Bago City, San Carlos City, La Castellana, Murcia, and Moises Padilla towns - all in Negros Occidental.
Local government units are readying evacuation centers for possible evacuation in case the abnormalities worsen.
However, people living near the volcano reportedly continue their normal lives despite the threat.
