The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Friday noticed an increase in the activity of the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Islands that could generate steam-driven eruptions.
Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr., Phivolcs chief, cited a total of 18 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours.
“These included four shallow tornillo signals that are associated with magmatic gas movement along fractures within the upper volcanic slopes,” he said.
Ground deformation data from global positioning system measurements would indicate short-term slight inflation of the edifice since mid-October 2021.
“The increased seismic activity and short-term ground deformation are likely caused by shallow hydrothermal processes beneath the edifice that could generate phreatic or steam-driven eruptions from the summit crater,” the Phivolcs chief said through Viber.
At Alert Level 1, the volcano is at an “abnormal condition.”