Mt. Mayon in Albay has become the most popular icon representing Bicol region for many years despite its dangers as one of the most active volcanoes in the country. After months of being under alert level 1, Phivolcs lowered its alert level to 0, meaning that volcanic activity around the perfect cone has declined. Photo by Michael Jaucian/Inquirer Southern Luzon
LIGAO CITY—Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) lowered the alert status of Mayon Volcano in Albay province and Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon province to 0 from level 1, after both volcanoes showed a decline in activities during the past months.
“There has been a continued decline in all monitoring parameters of Mayon Volcano, particularly on the frequency of volcanic earthquakes for the last six months,” Dr. Paul Karson Alanis, resident volcanologist based in Albay, said in a phone interview Wednesday.
The sulfur dioxide emission from Mayon declined since July 14, and no plume was detected, Alanis added.
Despite this development, he still advised the public to be extra careful by not entering the permanent danger zones because phreatic eruptions may happen at any time.
In Sorsogon, Phivolcs also placed Mt. Bulusan at alert level 0 around 8 a.m. Wednesday.
“So far, there was a decrease in volcanic earthquakes wherein from July 1 to August 17, 2021, there were only 109 mild volcanic earthquakes recorded,” April Dominguiano, a resident volcanologist at Mt. Bulusan observatory station, said in a separate interview.
Bulusan and Mayon are considered among the most active volcanoes and the country and have recorded violent and deadly eruptions in the past.