Mayon Volcano update: 7 quakes recorded n 24 hours; Alert level 1 still up

Mayon Volcano, July 1, 2020 (Photo by Ed Lustan)

MANILA, Philippines — Seven earthquakes were recorded in and around Mayon Volcano during a 24-hour period observation, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Sunday. 

In an advisory, Phivolcs said that it also observed a “moderate emission” of white steam-laden plumes that crept downslope before drifting north. 

“Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was last measured at an average of 676 tons per day day on 29 December 2020. Ground deformation data from Precise Leveling surveys on 28 November – 3 December 2020 indicated slight deflation of the edifice relative to October 2020,” state volcanologists said. 

Electronic tilt data also showed short-term deflation of the middle slopes since July 2020 after a period of non-steady inflation from late 2019 to mid-2020,” Phivolcs added. 

“Continuous GPS, however, recorded longer-term inflation of the lower to middle slopes since July 2019. Overall, the Mayon edifice is still inflated with respect to baseline parameters.” 

The agency likewise reminded that  Mayon Volcano is still under Alert Level 1, meaning it is at an “abnormal condition.”

Mayon Volcano last erupted from January to March 2018.

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