Sluggish lava flow, rockfalls continue in Mayon Volcano
Published Jun 30, 2023 02:29 am
The “very slow” lava flow and sporadic lava dome collapse in Mayon Volcano have continued to result in rockfall occurrences and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its bulletin on Friday, June 30.
Two hundred eighty-four rockfall events, seven dome collapse PDCs, as well as two volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the restive volcano in Albay.
“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, noting that the lava flows along the Mi-isi and Bonga gullies have advanced to approximately 2,230 meters and 1,300 meters, respectively.
Furthermore, Phivolcs observed a “continuous voluminous degassing from the summit crater,” producing steam-laden plumes 2,500 meters high before drifting north and northeast.
Mayon Volcano emits steam-laden plumes on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)
‘Intensified unrest’ persists
Mayon Volcano is still under Alert Level 3 as it 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.” “A low-rate effusive eruption of degassed lava has been transpiring for the past two weeks,” Phivolcs said on June 26. It strongly recommended the evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) 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.