16 quakes, 6 rockfalls recorded on Mayon Volcano

LEGAZPI CITY –– At least 16 volcanic quakes and six rockfall events on Mayon Volcano were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), signifying a renewed abnormal behavior since its last eruption in January last year.

In its bulletin on Tuesday, Phivolcs said the volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded the quakes and rockfall events in the last 24-hour observation period.

Eduardo Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said there were two volcanic scenarios that could have caused the renewed abnormalities on the volcano.

He said there could be magma build up and gas or liquefied pressure that could trigger rock movements inside the volcano.

Laguerta said these abnormalities were still being closely monitored and there was no cause for alarm.

The sulfur dioxide emission was measured at 680 tons a day, a bit higher than the normal level of 500 tonnes a day.

A slight bulging at the volcano’s edifice continued to be observed by Phivolcs’ precise leveling instrument.

Alert Level 2 (moderate level of unrest) remains hoisted over Mayon.

Phivolcs reminded the public to keep out of the six-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcano and the seven-kilometer extended danger zone in the south-southwest to east-northeast sector, as sudden explosions, lava collapses, pyroclastic density and ashfall could still occur and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes.