(MARK ALVIC ESPLANA / file photo)
MANILA, Philippines – State volcanologists said more than 200 rockfall events and seven pyroclastic density currents were recorded in Mayon Volcano over the past 24 hour monitoring period.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), in its Friday morning update, said that from 5 a.m. on Friday (August 11) to 5 a.m. on Saturday (August 12), a total of 201 rockfall events and seven pyroclastic density currents were detected by the Mayon Volcano Network.
Phivolcs added that 42 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, one ashing event, and 58 tremor events were also logged.
“Some of these tremors were accompanied by rumbling sounds audible within the seven-kilometer radius from the crater of Mayon,” Phivolcs said.
Meanwhile, Mayon’s slow effusion of lava persisted, feeding lava flows on Bonga, Mi-si, and Basud gullies.
“The lava flows have maintained their respective advances to approximately 3.4 kilometers, 2.8 kilometers, and 1.0 kilometers from the crater,” said Phivolcs.
The volcano’s sulfur dioxide emission also continued, degassing 1,888 metric tons on August 11.
More than two months since it placed Mayon under Alert Level 3, Phivolcs said the volcano is still in a “high level of unrest.”
“Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days could still be possible,” it stressed.
Phivolcs recommended that the six-kilometer permanent danger zone be cleared, due to the danger of persisting lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.