LIGAO CITY –– Mt. Mayon remains under close watch as earthquakes have continuously occurred around the volcano since the start of the year, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) reported on Friday.
The Philvocs said 14 volcanic earthquakes and 36 rockfall events were recorded around Mt. Mayon from Jan. 1 to 15.
In Friday’s bulletin, Phivolcs said it recorded four volcanic quakes within 24 hours.
“A crater glow is also observed on (the) summit at night time,” said Dr. Paul Karson Alanis, senior science research specialist and officer in charge at the Lignon Hill Mayon Volcano Observatory station in Legazpi City.
Getting close to the volcano is still strictly prohibited as it remains restless.
Mt. Mayon remains at Alert Level 1, which means that entering its 6-kilometer permanent danger zone is prohibited because phreatic eruptions may happen at any time.
Located in Albay province, Mt. Mayon straddles the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco, and the towns of Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo.
On Nov. 1 last year, nearly 200 houses were buried under volcanic debris in the town of Guinobatan after an avalanche of ash and lahar cascaded down its slopes at the height of super Typhoon “Rolly” (international name: Goni) killing six persons.