Mayon triggers more low-frequency volcanic quakes
Published Jul 24, 2023 02:52 am
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded more volcanic earthquakes around Mayon Volcano between Sunday, July 23, and Monday, July 24.
In its bulletin issued on Monday, Phivolcs said 184 low-frequency volcanic quakes (LFVQs) were recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network.
This is an increase from the five LFVQs in the previous 24–hour monitoring.
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)
Moreover, Mayon had four pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and 156 rockfall occurrences. “In the past 24-hour period, slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed and bulk up established lava flows on the Mi-isi, Basud, and Bonga gullies,” it added. Lava flows on the Mi-isi, Basud, and Bonga gullies on Mayon’s southern, eastern, and southeastern flanks have maintained distal lengths of approximately 2.8 kilometers (km), 600 meters, and 2.8 kilometers respectively. Phivolcs also noted that debris was still deposited within four kilometers of the crater from rockfall and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) caused by the collapses of the lava flow margins and the summit dome.
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)
Moreover, Mayon had four pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and 156 rockfall occurrences. “In the past 24-hour period, slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed and bulk up established lava flows on the Mi-isi, Basud, and Bonga gullies,” it added. Lava flows on the Mi-isi, Basud, and Bonga gullies on Mayon’s southern, eastern, and southeastern flanks have maintained distal lengths of approximately 2.8 kilometers (km), 600 meters, and 2.8 kilometers respectively. Phivolcs also noted that debris was still deposited within four kilometers of the crater from rockfall and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) caused by the collapses of the lava flow margins and the summit dome.
Alert level 3 still up
Given these observations, Phivolcs said Mayon Volcano remains on Alert Level 3, which means it is still in a relatively high level of unrest and that a potentially hazardous eruption may occur within weeks or even days. Communities near the restive volcano are recommended 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.