Phivolcs sees third lava track flowing from Mayon crater

This photo, taken on Jan. 28, 2018, shows Mount Mayon spewing lava ash from its crater, as seen in Daraga town in Albay province. Photo by TED ALJIBE /AFP)

LEGAZPI CITY — The lava coming from Mount Mayon in Albay province has flowed through a third channel, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said on Tuesday.

Eduardo Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist here, said lava from the Basud Channel in Santo Domingo town has advanced to 3 kilometers.

“That was for confirmation a few days ago, but Phivolcs’ geologists have already confirmed it,” he said.

Lava flows in the Miisi and Bonga-Buyuan channels reached 3.2 km and 4.5 km, respectively.

Miisi is in Daraga town, while the Bonga-Buyuan Gulley is in Legazpi City.

During its last 24-hour observation, Phivolcs recorded 16 volcanic quakes and at least three lava fountaining events at 5:57 a.m., 1:46 p.m. and 3:59 p.m. Monday.

Although Phivolcs instruments showed lower figures compared to previous days, there was no conclusive sign that Mayon’s high level of unrest had waned.

The Phivolcs asked the public to stay away from the 8-km danger zone while Alert Level 4 remained hoisted over the volcano. /atm