ON Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) startled many Filipinos by raising the alert level for Mount Pinatubo from 0 (normal) to 1 (low-level unrest), the first time in 25 years that the deadly volcano has exhibited any activity warranting concern on the part of scientists. While Pinatubo does not seem to pose a threat at the moment, and perhaps will quiet down again without any further activity, the warning is a worthwhile reminder to everyone to be mindful of natural hazards.

The new advisory on Mount Pinatubo means that four out of the five most dangerous volcanoes in the Philippines are now at elevated alert levels. Taal in Batangas, Mayon in Albay and Kanlaon in Negros are all also at alert level 1, with Taal and Mayon showing the most activity as of March 5 although neither is deemed to pose an imminent threat. Only Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon remains quiet under alert level 0.