Phivolcs clarifies Mount Halcon reports

May 6, 2020

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Mount Halcon in Oriental Mindoro is not a volcano following posts on social media where alleged “smoke” is at the top of the mountain.

In a statement, Phivolcs assured the public that Mt. Halcon will not erupt.

“There are reports about eruption on Mt. Halcon, at the peak of Central Mindoro ranges, on social media including photos of cloud thunders which look like it is erupting. We would like to inform the public that Mt. Halcon is not a volcano and will not erupt,” it said.

For their part, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) – Calapan said there were no thunderstorm developments in Oriental Mindoro.

“In fact, the thunderstorm warning was issued. Based on our latest observation, there are cloud formations, which is called Lenticularis Cloud which caused by the Orographic Lifting, and this kind of clouds cannot create thunder,” it said.

Pagasa said it is possible that the thunder seen at the top of the mountain is caused by the thunder clouds in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro where thunderstorm warning was issued. Ella Dionisio/DMS