Mayon Volcano lava effusion continues for 8th week
Published Jul 31, 2023 01:47 pm
The lava effusion from Mayon Volcano, which began in early June and prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise the volcano’s alert status, was still ongoing as of July 31.
“Lava effusion from Mayon Volcano’s summit crater continues for the eighth straight week, feeding rockfall and lava flows in the Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies,” Phivolcs said on Monday evening.
On July 31, 2023, the lava effusion from the summit crater of the Mayon Volcano continued for the eighth consecutive week, feeding rockfall and lava flows in the Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies. (Screengrab from Phivolcs / Facebook)
It noted that the lava flow in the Bonga gully has advanced to about 3.4 kilometers (km) from the crater, while the lava flows in the Mi-isi and Basud gullies have remained at 2.8 km and 600 meters, respectively. Between July 30 and 31, Phivolcs recorded 119 low-frequency volcanic quakes, as well as one “ashing” and 73 rockfall occurrences. The Mayon Volcano is still on 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.
On July 31, 2023, the lava effusion from the summit crater of the Mayon Volcano continued for the eighth consecutive week, feeding rockfall and lava flows in the Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies. (Screengrab from Phivolcs / Facebook)
It noted that the lava flow in the Bonga gully has advanced to about 3.4 kilometers (km) from the crater, while the lava flows in the Mi-isi and Basud gullies have remained at 2.8 km and 600 meters, respectively. Between July 30 and 31, Phivolcs recorded 119 low-frequency volcanic quakes, as well as one “ashing” and 73 rockfall occurrences. The Mayon Volcano is still on 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.