No signs of destructive Mayon eruption – Phivolcs

Mayon Volcano. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON FILE PHOTO

LEGAZPI CITY—The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said they had yet to see any indication of a possible destructive eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay province.

Eduardo Laguerta, resident volcanologist at Phivolcs’ Lignon Hill Observatory here, told the Inquirer that they were still waiting for the results of the deformation survey that would show if there is an upward pressure or inflation in the volcano.

He said there was “no indication of sustained situation in its movements.”

Laguerta said they could not tell when it would erupt.

He said their records showed only a minimal lava dome at the crater, episodes of slight inflation and an increase of sulfur dioxide emission.

Laguerta said their statistics showed that it would take months or even years before there would be changes in the shape of the ground surface due to an upward pressure.

Based on their previous record, a lava dome was observed in Mayon in 2005 but it was followed by an eruption only in 2006.

Laguerta said the 2006 eruption was Mayon’s 48th, a “quiet effusion of lava” that caused the evacuation of nearly 40,000 people.

The alert status over Mayon was raised to alert Level 2 from 1 on Friday afternoon, which meant an intrusion of magma that could lead to a larger eruption.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said he had directed all local governments of the eight municipalities and cities covered by the 6-kilometer radius of the permanent danger zone to prepare for a possible evacuation if Phivolcs raises the alert level to 3.