By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

As of yesterday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded a total of 1,217 volcanic quakes at Mt. Kanlaon, with volcanologists noting the likely cause of the quakes being the intrusion of magma.

Volcanologists also recently observed “wispy” emissions of steam coming from the volcano’s summit, which they attributed to rain water coming into contact with heated rocks.

Phivolcs reminded the public to steer clear of the four-kilometer danger zone, where “sudden and hazardous steam-driven or minor ash eruptions” are possible; and advised the local governments of Bago City, La Carlota City, San Carlos City, and La Castellana to implement massive information and education drives in their respective communities.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) identified the said local government units, alongside Murcia, Moises Padilla, and Don Salvador Benedicto, as areas that may be directly affected by a volcanic eruption./DGB, WDJ