Phivolcs records significant increase in Mayon's volcanic quakes
The number of earthquakes caused by Mayon Volcano’s heightened unrest has significantly increased in the last 24 hours, based on the monitoring of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) between Sunday, July 16, and Monday, July 17.
Phivolcs in its bulletin released at 8 a.m. on Monday said it recorded 184 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours. This is an increase from the nine earthquakes detected during the previous 24-hour monitoring.
Mayon Volcano’s ongoing unrest was also marked by sustained lava flow, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), and rockfall occurrences.
“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, as well as rockfall and PDCs on these and the Basud (eastern) gullies,” Phivolcs said.
The approximate lengths of lava flow stayed at 2.8 kilometers (km) and 1.4 km, respectively, along the Mi-isi and Bonga gullies, while collapsed debris was still deposited 4 km along the Basud channel.
Moreover, Phivolcs recorded 238 rockfall events and three PDCs caused by Mayon Volcano’s collapsed lava dome.
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)
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)
Still on alert level 3
According to Phivolcs, Mayon Volcano is still experiencing a relatively high level of unrest, and a potentially hazardous eruption is still possible within weeks or even days. It noted that Mayon remains on alert level 3 because of ongoing “increased magmatic unrest.” Phivolcs advised communities near the restive volcano to maintain increased vigilance against lahars and sediment-laden stream flows along channels draining the volcano edifice, as heavy rainfall could cause channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden stream flows. Since Mayon Volcano’s status was upgraded twice in the past month, first to level 2 on June 5 and then to level 3 on June 8, Phivolcs strongly advised that entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone be strictly prohibited. Furthermore, it warned that ash fall may occur in areas south of Mayon Volcano due to current wind patterns. Phivolcs advised pilots to avoid flying near the volcano's summit because ash from a sudden eruption can be dangerous to aircraft.