Mayon volcanic quakes quadruple in past 24 hours
Published Jun 26, 2023 02:53 am
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 102 volcanic earthquakes in Mayon between 5 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, and 5 a.m. on Monday, June 26, more than quadrupling the number of events that were recorded in the previous 24 hours.
The 24-hour monitoring of the restive volcano has seen a notable rise in the number of volcanic earthquakes from 24 to 102.
In addition, Phivolcs recorded 263 rockfall events and eight three-minute-long dome-collapse pyroclastic density currents (PDCs).
“In the past 24-hour period, very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed lava flows and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies,” Phivolcs said in a bulletin that was released at 8 a.m. on Monday.
“The lava flows have advanced to approximate lengths of 1,300 meters and 1,200 meters along Mi-isi and Bonga gullies, respectively, from the summit crater, while collapse debris has deposited to 3,300 meters from the crater,” it added.
The actual extent of the lava flow along Bonga Gully and patches of incandescent rockfall debris from Mayon Volcano are clearly shown using a brand-new thermal camera installed at the Lower Lidong, Sto. Domingo Station in Albay province on June 24, 2023. (Phivolcs)
The actual extent of the lava flow along Bonga Gully and patches of incandescent rockfall debris from Mayon Volcano are clearly shown using a brand-new thermal camera installed at the Lower Lidong, Sto. Domingo Station in Albay province on June 24, 2023. (Phivolcs)
State of unrest persists
According to Phivolcs, a “low-rate effusive eruption of degassed lava has been transpiring for the past two weeks accompanied only by slight increases in volcanic SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emission, and seismic and ground deformation parameters.” It said that Mayon’s unrest is “largely similar” to its “quiet” eruption in 2014. Phivolcs noted that the volcano’s current condition might last for a few months, therefore Alert Level 3 will remain in effect. This means that Mayon is “currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days is possible.” The evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) has been recommended due to the risk of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards. “Local government units, disaster officials, and the general public are urged to heed avoidance of the PDZ, as the summit lava dome has grown above and filled up the summit crater, increasing the chances of lava collapse or potential volcanic flows onto other sectors of the volcano,” Phivolcs warned. 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 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.