Mayon Volcano still restive; unleashes 2.5-kilometer-long lava flow – Phivolcs

‘SLOW EFFUSION’ Flaming lava cascades from the crater as restive Mayon Volcano remains on Alert Level 3.
Photo by Mark Alvin Esplana

MANILA, Philippines — Mayon Volcano’s lava flow has expanded 2,500 meters (2.5 kilometers) long through its gullies, with debris from the collapse spreading 3,300 meters away from the crater, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Tuesday.

Mayon Volcano remains on Alert Level 3, said Phivolcs, indicating an imminent eruption risk within weeks or days.

Phivolcs also observed a “very slow” lava effusion from Mayon’s summit crater, feeding lava flows and causing debris collapse in Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies.

“The lava flows have advanced to maximum lengths of 2,500 meters and 1,800 meters along Mi-isi and Bonga gullies, respectively, from the summit crater, while collapse debris has deposited to 3,300 meters from the crater,” according to the latest bulletin of Phivolcs.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Mayon Volcano

In the past 24 hours, state volcanologists counted 301 rockfall events, two dome-collapse pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) lasting two to three minutes, and a volcanic earthquake.

Moderate degassing from Mayon’s crater also produced steam laden-plumes reaching 800 meters before drifting west, while sulfur dioxide emission averaged 389 metric tons per day as of June 19, Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs then warned that based on the prevailing wind pattern, ash fall events are likely to occur on the south side of the Mayon Volcano.

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

Alert Level 3 is still raised for Mayon Volcano, which means that “it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days is possible.”

Due to this, all residents within the seven-kilometer radius of the permanent danger zone should be evacuated since the effects of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards are anticipated.

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

State volcanologists cautioned dwellers near Mayon that heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahar and sediment-laden streamflows “in channels where PDC deposits were emplaced.”

Civil aviation authorities were likewise advised to prohibit pilots from flying close to Mayon Volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

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