The Mayon volcano, known for its breathtaking beauty and occasional fiery temperament, has recently alerted residents and authorities as it continues exhibiting signs of unrest. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS/Jay Carolino and Arren Christian Ventura)
MANILA, Philippines — Mayon is still in a “high level of unrest” one month after the volcano was placed under Alert Level 3.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said this in a bulletin released Saturday, adding that a hazardous eruption within weeks or days is still possible – hence, advising that the six-kilometer danger zone is kept uninhabited.
“Alert level 3 is maintained over Mayon, which means that it is currently in a relative[ly] high level of unrest and hazardous eruption within weeks or days could still be possible. It is, therefore, recommended that the six-kilometer danger zone remain evacuated due to the dangers of pyroclastic density currents, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards,” it said.
READ: Mayon ashfall blankets parts of Albay
Mayon’s effusion of lava continued during the latest 24-hour observation period, according to Phivolcs.
“The lava flows have advanced to approximate lengths of 2,800 meters and 1,300 meters along Mi-si and Bonga gullies,” it noted.
Eight volcanic earthquakes were likewise recorded from 5 a.m., July 7, to 5:00 a.m. July 8 – lower than the 79 quakes reported Friday – but Mayon’s rockfall events climbed from 216 to 303 during the same monitoring cycle.
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Mayon Volcano
State volcanologists also reported one lava collapse pyroclastic density current that generated a 300-meter ash cloud. They further said that the volcano’s sulfur dioxide degassing persisted, logging an average of 792 metric tons in the last 24-hour observation period.
Mayon Volcano’s alert level was raised from 2 to 3 on June 8 due to increasing seismic activities. The volcano started spewing lava on June 11.
Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol on June 13 said Mayon’s unrest could last a few months, citing similarities between its latest volcanic activities and its restiveness in 2018 and 2014.