Mayon Volcano lava effusion 'weakening' but Alert Level 3 stays
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has observed a “weakening” of the slow lava effusion from Mayon Volcano’s crater between Wednesday, July 26, and Thursday, July 27.
“In the past 24-hour period, there has been a marked weakening of slow lava effusion from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano that fed lava flows on the Mi-isi (south), Bonga (southeastern), and Basud (eastern) gullies,” Phivolcs said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.
“These lava flows have maintained distal lengths of approximately 2.8 kilometers, 2.8 kilometers, and 600 meters from the crater, respectively,” it added.
Phivolcs also detected fewer rockfall occurrences and no pyroclastic density currents (PDCs).
Twenty-two volcanic earthquakes, which include 19 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, and 74 rockfall events, were recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network during the 24-monitoring of the volcano in Albay.
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)
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)
‘High-level’ unrest persists
Although there has been a significant decrease in Mayon Volcano’s activity, Phivolcs reminded that the volcano is still under Alert Level 3, which means that a hazardous eruption is still possible 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.