PHIVOLCS Volcano Database History

From the early 1990’s, PHIVOLCS had been using spreadsheets of simple to more complex functionalities for storing, analysis and visual output of processed volcano observation data in aid of evaluating day-to-day volcano conditions and volcanic unrest. Commercial database software use was began in 2003, making for easy management, relational databasing and graphical display. In this way, the VDM team could systematize monitoring records of the six monitored active volcanoes: Bulusan, Hibok-Hibok, Kanlaon, Mayon, Pinatubo and Taal. However, rapid technological changes led to the trapping of data in storage media that eventually became obsolete and prone to deterioration or loss. More importantly, the advent of real-time high-resolution digital volcano observation systems in PHIVOLCS in 2009 and its steady increase in coverage to eight monitored active volcanoes (to include Parker and Matutum) led to an explosion in the volume of digital monitoring data, especially of broadband seismic waveform binary data. While various systems were put in place for the repository of these real-time high-resolutiondata, a more integrated and web-accesible database system for processed monitoring data that could be leveraged for data communication between PHIVOLCS’ Volcano Observatories and Main Office became imperative. With the collaboration of the EOS WOVODat Project, PHIVOLCS-LAVA has successfully answered this need, systematizing the country’s volcano monitoring records while ensuring the Philippines’ open data contribution and support to the worldwide volcanological community.