Phivolcs detects rise in volcanic quakes, rockfall occurrences in Mayon
More low-frequency volcanic quakes (LFVQs) and rockfall events have been detected during the 24-hour monitoring of the Mayon Volcano in Albay, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday, Aug. 4.
Between Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, the Mayon Volcano Network recorded 272 LFVQs, including 23 ashing events and 10 tremor events that lasted one to four minutes, 180 rockfall occurrences, and five pyroclastic density currents (PDCs).
The current record of LFVQs and rockfalls were higher than the 84 LFVQs and 153 rockfall events recorded during the previous day’s monitoring.
The lava effusion from the summit crater of the Mayon Volcano continued for the eighth consecutive week on July 31, 2023, feeding rockfall and lava flows in the Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies. (Screengrab from Phivolcs / Facebook)
Phivolcs pointed out that the slow effusion of lava from the Mayon Volcano’s summit crater has continued to feed the existing lava flows in the Bonga, Mi-isi, and Basud gullies on the southeastern, southern, and eastern flanks of the volcano, respectively. The distances between the lava flows and the crater have remained at about 3.4 km, 2.8 km, and 600 meters, respectively. Meanwhile, rockfall and PDCs caused by the summit dome and lava flow margin collapses left debris four kilometers from the crater.
The lava effusion from the summit crater of the Mayon Volcano continued for the eighth consecutive week on July 31, 2023, feeding rockfall and lava flows in the Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies. (Screengrab from Phivolcs / Facebook)
Phivolcs pointed out that the slow effusion of lava from the Mayon Volcano’s summit crater has continued to feed the existing lava flows in the Bonga, Mi-isi, and Basud gullies on the southeastern, southern, and eastern flanks of the volcano, respectively. The distances between the lava flows and the crater have remained at about 3.4 km, 2.8 km, and 600 meters, respectively. Meanwhile, rockfall and PDCs caused by the summit dome and lava flow margin collapses left debris four kilometers from the crater.
Alert Level 3
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.