Mayon records slightly fewer volcanic quakes, rockfall events in past 24 hours
Mayon Volcano's "high-level of unrest" persisted, with two volcanic earthquakes and 306 rockfall events recorded between 5 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, and 5 a.m. on Thursday, June 15.
Although the record is slightly less than the previous day’s total of seven volcanic quakes and 309 rockfall events, most of the parameters continue to indicate a high level of unrest at Mayon Volcano.
Phivolcs still observed “very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater emplaced lava flow and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies within approximately a kilometer from the crater.”
Three dome-collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC) that lasted three to six minutes were also detected.
Phivolcs said a continuous moderate degassing from the summit crater produced steam-laden plumes that rose 700 m before drifting northwest.
“Fair crater glow or ‘banaag’ and incandescent rockfall shed from fluidal lava at the summit of Mayon Volcano was observed,” it added.
Mayon Volcano is "currently in a relatively high level of unrest," according to Phivolcs, implying magma is creeping upward.
Mayon Volcano emits steam-laden plumes on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The province of Albay was placed under state of calamity due to the threat of volcanic eruption. (ALI VICOY/MANILA BULLETIN)
It has been on alert level 3 since June 8, indicating that a “hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days.” The evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone has been recommended due to the risk of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards. Phivolcs warned the public to be cautious of PDCs, lahars, and sediment-laden stream flows along channels draining the volcano edifice. It pointed out that heavy rainfall could cause channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden stream flows on channels where PDC deposits were emplaced. Likewise, it said that ash fall events may “most likely” occur on the south side of the volcano, based on the current prevailing wind pattern. Phivolcs advised civil aviation authorities to ask pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano because ash from sudden eruption may pose hazards to aircraft.