BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental has shown a remarkable rise in its seismic activity for the last eight days.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) revealed in a bulletin Thursday that it has recorded 257 volcanic earthquakes in Mt. Kanlaon from August 23 to September 1.

The seismic activity was notably higher than the usual levels that generally vary from 0 to 4 events detected in 24 hours during quiet periods, Phivolcs said.

One of these quakes occurred at 5:26 p.m. on August 23, and was felt at Intensity 2 in Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City.

Another tremor occurred at 10:27 p.m. on August 30 and was felt at Intensity 3 in La Castellana and Intensity 4 in the cities of La Carlota and Bago.

Phivolcs said the epicenters of the quakes were all located at the northwest slope of the volcano.

The occurrence of these earthquakes might indicate movements of an active local fault at the slope of the volcano, which might be induced by pressure beneath the volcano, it added.
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Since Kanlaon volcano has a history of sudden steam-driven explosions without precursors, Phivolcs reminded the public to refrain from entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.