The  Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded at least 12 volcanic quakes from Kanlaon Volcano over a 24-hour period on Friday, which was preceded by 18 volcanic tremors over three days.

Phivolcs recorded 11 volcanic tremors from Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday, two on Wednesday and five on Tuesday. Hence, the agency recorded a total of 30 volcanic quakes from Kanlaon over four days until Friday.

On Monday and Sunday, the agency did not record any volcanic quakes from Kanlaon.

Besides the 12 volcanic quakes on Friday, Phivolcs also observed “weak to moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose 500 meters before drifting north, northwest and southwest.”

With Phivolcs recording 30 volcanic quakes from Kanlaon over four days, the agency is maintaining Alert Level 1 over the volcano area.

“DOST (Department of Science and Technology)-Phivolcs would like to remind the public that Kanlaon Volcano is at Alert Level 1, which means that it is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest. The local government units and the public are strongly reminded that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited due to the further possibilities of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions,” Phivolcs said.

“Civil aviation authorities 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. DOST-Phivolcs is closely monitoring Kanlaon Volcano’s activity and any new development will be relayed to all concerned,” it added.