Mayon’s unrest seen to last for at least three months, says Phivolcs exec

Mayon Volcano “bleeds” on the night of June 15, 2023. Photo by Mark Alvic Esplana

MANILA, Philippines — Mayon Volcano’s unrest may continue for at least three months, an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Monday.

According to Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, the current activities in Mayon are similar to its eruption from August to November 2014.

“So kapag ganito ang tinitignan natin, it will probably take at least three months bago huminto ang activity ng Mayon,” he also said during an interview with Teleradyo.

(So, looking at it this way, it will probably take at least three months before Mayon’s activity stops.)

The Phivolcs official said residents within the permanent danger zone must stay in evacuation centers within that period.

“Tama po, kasi ang recommendation namin ay i-evacuate lahat,” Bacolcol replied when asked if dwellers within the permanent danger zone should remain in evacuation centers for three months, given the current behavior of Mayon.

(That’s right because our recommendation is to evacuate everyone.)

“Anytime baka pwede mag-progress into violent eruption or pwede magkaroon ng pyroclastic density current event or landslides or rockfalls baka matamaan po sila – in the first place, dapat naman po walang tao sa permanent danger zone,” he added.

(No one should be near an explosive eruption, pyroclastic density current event, landslide, or rockfall.)

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council announced on June 19 that Mayon Volcano caused 20,127 evacuations.

Earlier Monday, Phivolcs reported no volcanic quakes at Mayon, but 265 rockfalls and 889 metric tons of sulfur dioxide were emitted from 5:00 a.m. on June 18 to 5:00 a.m. on June 19.

READ: Mayon’s 24-hour zero quakes: Just rockfalls, sulfur dioxide flux noted by Phivolcs

Mayon Volcano has been under Alert Level 3 since June 8 due to “potential explosive activity happening within days or weeks.”

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