IN CALMER TIMES Mt. Kanlaon, one of the country鈥檚 active volcanoes is calm in this photo taken in February. Government volcanologists have been closely watching the volcano following its increased activity recently. 鈥擱ONNIE BALDONADO /CONTRIBUTOR
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� 聽Mt. Kanlaon in Negros and Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon may soon have phreatic or steam-driven explosions, based on their recent activities, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Thursday.
Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum Jr. said the agency had monitored a 鈥渢ornillo type volcanic earthquake鈥� around Kanlaon in the past several days, which he said is concerning.
He said this type of volcanic earthquake usually follows a phreatic explosion. However, he noted that the volcano is also swollen.
鈥淢ga nakaraang araw, mayroon tayong narecord na tornillo-type volcanic earthquake event 鈥� hugis turnilyo. Ito ang nagbibigay ng concern sa atin kasi pag nakikita natin ito, nagkakaroon ng phreatic or steam-driven explosion,鈥� Solidum said.
鈥淣amamaga pa rin ang bulkan at 鈥榶un pa rin ang kailangan natin paghandaan,鈥� he added.
Mt. Bulusan. INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON FILE PHOTO
Solidum said Phivolcs is also seeing possible steam-driven explosions over Bulusan.
鈥淜atulad ng Bulkang Kanlaon, nakikita natin na posibleng magkaroon din ng steam-driven explosion ang Bulkang Bulusan at importante na pag-ingatan ito,鈥� he said.
He advised residents near the volcanoes to be safe to avoid the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.
He said the current activities of the volcanoes are not yet alarming but residents must be ready for any circumstances.