Based on the monitoring of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the lava flow of Mayon Volcano stayed in “very slow” status on Friday, July 14.

The Mayon Volcano ejects massive pyroclastic density currents (PDC) towards the Basud Gully in Sto. Domingo town in Albay province around 5:30 p.m. on July 10, 2023. (Niño Luces/Manila Bulletin)

Compared to the July 13 report, Phivolcs' latest bulletin showed increasing cases of rockfalls and volcanic earthquakes, and also the “very slow effusion" of lava continued to travel down the slopes of Mayon.

Volcanic activities continue

As noted in the latest forecast, the lava flows' current length is 2.8 kilometers (km) in the Mi-isi (south) gullies, 1.4 km in Bonga (southeastern) gullies, and lava collapsed debris incidents in Basud (eastern) channel continued to fall and now in 4 km length.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs monitored seven pyroclastic density currents (PDC) due to dome- and lava-front collapse, 361 rock falls, and Mayon Volcano Network recorded five volcanic tremors.

Also, Mayon continued to emit “moderate” amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2), producing a 200-meter-high steam plume that drifted east-southeast.

Alert level 3 stays

Since Mayon remained “intensified unrest or magmatic unrest,” in which “hazardous eruption within weeks or even days could still be possible,” Phivolcs recommended an alert level 3 stayed to be hoisted.

It means that entering into a six-km radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) and flying any aircraft close to the volcano are still prohibited.

The said volcanic activities may result in rockfalls, landslides, avalanches; Ballistic fragments; lava flows and lava fountaining; pyroclastic density currents; moderate-sized explosions; and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall. (Sonny Daanoy)