270010-274800
_{(was 0700-0704)}
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
C.P. Garcia Ave
UP Campus, Diliman
110 Quezon City
Philippines

Personnel Profile (Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Divison Only):

Main Office, Quezon City

Ernesto Garcia Corpuz - Chief
Julio Placido Sabit
Agnes Rafer Aguilar
Jesus Rey Puertollano
Nora Reyes Campita
Lilia Gonzales Tansinsin
Esfeca, Tabirara Del Mundo
Manuel Gurrea Isada
Elmer del Rosario Gabinete
Edwin de Guzman Dela Cruz
Alejandro Francisco Ramos
Juan Menor Cordon Jr.
Pedro Soneja Lumabi Jr.
Rudy Jr. Arceo Lacson
Wencelito Mariano Gelido
Teodorico Almario Sandoval
Shirley Inmenzo Masangkay
Edgardo Umali Villacorte
Manuel Maiquez Sexon
Nancy Dacara Largo
Wilfredo Tanzon Reyes
Jerry Pantua Diolata
Mon Pierre Gimena Menguito
Paul Karson Alanis

Mayon Volcano Observatory
Lignon Hill, Legaspi City

Eduardo Pantua Laguerta - Resident Volcanologist (MVO)
Alejo Vibe Baloloy
Rafael Acha Toledo
Celso Ferrer Mancilla
Helma Belo Canon
Arnel Toledo Aquino
Roberto Armario Nunez
Danilo Vergara Bon
Perfecto Baliwas Peralta

Pinatubo Volcano Observatory
5452 Drakken St., Clarkfield, Pampanga

Jaime Santos Sincioco- Resident Volcanologist (PVO)
Ramona Simeona Gonzales Julabar
Jose Joel Dizon Marilla
Rolando Marocot Bantigue

Bulusan Volcano Observatory
San Benon, Irosin, Sorsogon

Bella Santiago Tubianosa - Resident Volcanologist (BVO)
Sesinado Jr. G. Manlangit
Crispolo Jr. Belza Diolata
Henry Gracilla Imperial
Abner Enaje Ete

Taal Volcano Observatory
Buco, Talisay, Batangas

Allan Rodriguez Loza - Resident Volcanologist (TVO)
Orlando Divina Guardacasa
Virgilio Domingo Capuno
Ricardo Garcia Seda

Kanlaon Volcano Observatory
Kanlaon City, Negros Oriental

Inocentes Sab-a Jakosalem - Resident Volcanologist (KVO)
Benjamin Pendon Tanatan
Nelson Amerilla Mondia
Joel Ratin Arellano

Hibok-hibok Volcano Observatory
Quiboro, Mambajao, Camiguin Island

Luisito Maestrado Salugsugan - Resident Volcanologist (HVO)
Arturo Salusugan Jardin
Angelo O. Abang

VOLCANO MONITORING AND ERUPTION PREDICTION DIVISION

Functions :

• Maintain and operate volcano observation systems.
• Develop and emplace new volcano observation systems.
• Evaluate and adapt technology for forecasting volcanic eruptions.
• Conduct emergency investigation of volcanic phenomena.
• Document, monitor and assess volcanic eruptions.
• Maintain and operate a repository of volcano observation data.
• Provide data and information on volcanic activities to the public
• and to local and international scientific communities.

VOLCANO OBSERVATORIES

A. TAAL VOLCANO

1. Pira-piraso Volcano Observatory

Volcano Island, Talisay, Batangas

2. Buco Volcano Observatory

Buco, Talisay, Batangas

Monitoring Techniques and Devices

The Pira-Piraso and Buco Volcano observatories both have 3-component Hosaka electromagnetic seismographs. Pira-piraso station, located in the volcano island, has a water tube tiltmeter and a telescope. Around Taal Lake are installed tide gauges as part of the lake tilt system. Precise levelling and EDM benchmarks are located in the SW, in the volcano island near the 1965 eruption site. Every quarter, these sites are revisited to record any changes in ground condition. Several ground probe holes whose temperatures are determined every other day are located in this site. The Main Crater, site of the violent 1911 activity, is also being monitored using water level and temperatures of the lake and surrounding fumaroles. Water samples from the Main Crater and Taal lakes are collected twice a month and analyzed for its geochemistry.

B. MAYON VOLCANO

1. Mayon Resthouse Observatory (MRHO)

Buang, Tabaco, Albay

2. Sta. Misericordia Volcano Observatory (SMO)
   (Not currently in use)

Sta. Misericordia, Sto. Domingo, Albay

3. Linon Hill Observatory (LHO)

Tagas, Daraga, Albay

Monitoring Techniques and Devices

MRHO has a 3-component Hosaka seismograph. The MRHO also houses a watertube tiltmeter. LHO has a 3-component Kelunji seismograph and receives telemetered data from Sta Misericordia Volcano Observatory (SMO) annually and MRHO. Three tiltmeters on a radial line through MRHO are telemetered to LHO. Recently LHO has begun monitoring the water table on the SE side of Mayon. Binoculars are used for the 24-hour visual observations as in the presence of crater glow, bluish fumes and volume of steam emission. A levelling line is located in the NW sector while two EDM lines are in the NW and SE. Surveys are conducted every quarter and during crisis.

C. CANLAON VOLCANO

1. Canlaon Volcano Observatory (CVO)

Canlaon City, Negros Oriental

2. Mambucal Volcano Observatory (MVO)

Mambucal, Negros Oriental

3. Cabagnaan Volcano Observatory (CaVO)

Cabagnaan, Negros Oriental

Monitoring Techniques and Devices

The CVO's seismic instruments consist of a Teledyne and a Kinemetrics PS-1A portable seismographs. The MVO also has a Kinemetrics while the CaVO has a Hosaka seismograph. Personnel in the CVO routinely conducts visual observations of steam emission, which varies from nil to voluminous. Sulfur stench is also one of the parameters being noted. Waters from aquapool, mudpool and sulfur spring are sent to the lab for geochemical analysis two times a month. Levelling and EDM lines have been established and are read every quarter and/or when there is activity.

D. BULUSAN VOLCANO

Bulusan Volcano Observatory

San Benon, Irosin, Sorsogon

Monitoring Techniques and Devices

In the Bulusan Volcano Observatory are a 3-component Hosaka seismograph and seismic telemetry to and from Angas, 2.0 kms SW of the crater at elevation 800 m above sea level. Another temporary seismic station is at Bulusan Lake, 5.9 kms SE of the crater and at elevation 340 m above sea level. A Kinemetrics PS-1A portable seismograph is presently in operation. Seismic studies of Bulusan have suggested that ash ejections may or may not be preceded by seismic swarms and two, seismic swarms are known to occur every two months. The foci of these earthquakes are located within the caldera wall with depths varying from one to ten kms. This earthquake family is characterised by high frequency volcanic earthquakes suggesting fracturing and displacement within the caldera wall. Ground deformation studies include the establishment of EDM, precise levelling and fissure measurements. As in other volcanoes, EDM and precise levelling are conducted every quarter and/or when the need arises. Fissure measurements are done during unexpected earthquake swarms and during abnormality in the volcano' s condition. Geochemistry of hotsprings are also being studied.

E. HIBOK-HIBOK VOLCANO

Hibok-Hibok Volcano Observatory

Mambajao, Camiguin Province

Monitoring Techniques and Devices

Hibok-Hibok Volcano is one of the deadliest volcanoes. The lone observatory has a 3-component Hosaka seismograph and watertube tiltmeter. There are plans to install sea gauges and additional levelling and EDM lines around the island. Hotspring geochemistry is also being studied.

DATA PROCESSING AND REDUCTION

Volcanological data are transmitted to the Main Office in Quezon City twice a day : one at 0600 H and update at 1700 H. The nine volcano observatories are each equipped with single side band radio transceivers for relay of information. These data include seismic phase readings, visual observations, wet tilt readings and meteorological information. Upon reception of data, these are then stored and processed using IBM PC compatible computers. At present, a minimum of five-year record for each station is available and can be easily retrived whenever needed. Important seismograms of volcanic crisis are stored in the Main Office, too, and their reproduction is being facilitated.

INSTRUMENTS USED FOR VOLCANO MONITORING

The following are the type of instruments used for each specific surveys :

F. PINATUBO VOLCANO

Pinatubo Volcano Observatory

Clarkfield, Pampanga

Monitoring Techniques and Devices

At Pinatubo Volcano there are two seismic stations: a vertical component seismic station at P12 high on the volcano's slopes, and the JICA Kelungi 3-component seismic station at PVO. As of late 2001, there are no working rain gages, nor AFM's. There is lake level monitoring. For ground deformation, occasional GPS surveys are made by M. Hamburger and colleagues. Most of the work of PVO since 1991-1992 has been to track potential lahar activity.