Phivolcs maintains Alert Level 2 in Mayon Volcano

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday said it recorded 74 rockfall events in Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours as it maintained Alert Level 2 status.

According to Phivolcs in its latest advisory on Mayon, the rockfall event lasted from one to four minutes, placing lava debris on the volcano’s southern gullies within a kilometer of its crater.

“Thin brownish-gray ash from the rockfalls also drifted to the general southwest,” said Phivolcs.

“Continuous moderate degassing from the summit crater produced steam-laden plumes that were bent and drifted to the west-southwest,” it added.

Meanwhile, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured, averaging 208 metric tons per day as of June 5, with upper slopes inflating since February 2023.

“Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) prevails over Mayon Volcano. The public is reminded that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruptions,” the Phivolcs said.

Due to the continuing unrest, entry into Mayon’s six-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited.

Taal Volcano

On the other hand, Phivolcs also reported that the volcanic tremor in Taal Volcano, recorded since June 2, is still ongoing.

State volcanologists also recorded an SO2 emission at 9,391 tonnes per day as of June 5.

Because of this, entry into Taal Volcano’s PDZ is likewise prohibited, especially in the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures.

Occupancy and boating on Taal Lake are also banned, as well as flying any aircraft close to the volcano.

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