Mayon activity up anew; alert level 3 remains

Mayon Volcano’s activity has intensified anew in the last 24 hours, but state volcanologists maintained on Thursday that alert level “3" stays. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that its seismic monitoring network recorded 20 volcanic quakes and 20 rockfall events. “Weak emission of white steam at the summit crater was observed during cloud breaks. Crater glow last night was not observed due to thick clouds covering the summit. Aerial survey conducted yesterday revealed remnants of lava pile inside the crater," it said in its 7 a.m. bulletin. But it added sulfur dioxide emission was lower in the last 24 hours, at 672 tons a day, compared to 1,914 tons recorded Wednesday. On Wednesday, Phivolcs said its seismic system detected four volcanic earthquakes and 21 rockfall events related to the detachment of lava fragments at the volcano’s upper slopes. Phivolcs lowered the alert level to “3" on Jan. 2, after raising it to “4" last December 20. Alert Level 3 means the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano should be free from human activity because of sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows, it said.

See the complete table on the Phivolcs website.

“People residing close to these danger areas are also advised to observe precautions associated with post-eruption activity, such as rockfalls, pyroclastic flows, and ash fallout occurring anytime due to instabilities of lava deposited on steep slopes," it said. Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar-prone in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircraft. - LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV