Continuous lava emitted by Mayon Volcano at the Bonga gully is visible in this photo taken on Sept. 24, 2023, in Barangay Bonga in Legazpi City. (File photo by JOHN MICHAEL L. MANJARES / Contributor)
MANILA, Philippines — State seismologists reported decreased unrest from Mayon on Tuesday following a phreatic eruption previously observed on the volcano.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s (Phivolcs) 24-hour observation summary issued at 12 a.m., one volcanic earthquake, and one rockfall event were logged on Mayon Volcano.
READ: Phreatic eruption observed over Mayon on Sunday afternoon
Its crater glow is still obscured as a flux of sulfur dioxide totaling 702 tons per day escapes the volcano.
Phivolcs further said that Mayon’s plume, or the mixture of gases and particles that escape its crater, is at a “moderate emission” and is drifting west-southwest.
Entering the volcano’s six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone and flying aircraft close to Mayon are prohibited.
Mayon is still under Alert Level 2, according to Phivolcs’ latest observation summary.
Previously, state seismologists warned that phreatic, or steam-driven, eruptions happen suddenly or without any precursors and are always possible from Mayon Volcano, even at Alert Level 0.
READ: CAAP to pilots: Avoid flying near Mayon’s top due to phreatic eruption
On February 4, a plume of ash and volcanic particles billowed from Mayon’s crater at a height of 1,200 meters due to a phreatic eruption that lasted 169 seconds.