Phivolcs records decline in sulfur dioxide emission over Mayon Volcano

MANILA, Philippines  — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded a decline in the sulfur dioxide emission over Mayon Volcano.

In its latest bulletin issued at 8 a.m. Friday, Phivolcs said sulfur dioxide emission over the volcano was measured at an average of 222 tonnes per day on Thursday, July 23.

The number is a slight drop from Phivolcs’ previous record of 229 tons per day on Wednesday, July 22.

Meanwhile, state volcanologists also recorded one rockfall event during the 24-hour observation period.

Phivolcs also observed “moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that crept downslope before drifting to the general west” over Mayon.

The agency said that Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 1, which means that there is an “abnormal condition.”

“Although this means that presently no magmatic eruption is imminent, it is strongly advised that the public refrain from entering the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone due to the perennial life-threatening dangers of rockfalls, landslides/avalanches at the middle to the upper slope, sudden ash puffs and steam-driven or phreatic eruptions from the summit,” Phivolcs said.

On July 17, Phivolcs lowered the warning over Mayon Volcano as it has observed a “continued decline” in its monitored parameters.

Mayon, known as the Philippines’ most active volcano, last erupted from January to March 2018.

/MUF