Mayon’s minor eruptions go on for 125th straight day – Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — Minor eruptions continued to be observed in Mayon Volcano in Albay for the 125th consecutive day on Saturday, May 9, state volcanologists said.

In an advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) released close-up footage of “minor Strombolian activity” or short-lived minor eruptions at the summit crater.

These activities were recorded at 4:23 p.m on Saturday.

Phivolcs said the volcano’s eruption remains active, producing pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), locally known as “uson,” along with frequent rockfalls.

PDCs are fast-moving flows of hot volcanic gas, ash and rock fragments that descend the slopes of a volcano during an eruptive activity.

Based on its latest 24-hour monitoring bulletin, lava kept flowing down the slopes of Mayon Volcano.

Phivolcs said the lava reached up to 3.8 kilometers along Basud Gully, 3.2 kilometers along Bonga Gully, and 1.3 kilometers along Mi-isi Gully.

It also recorded 27 volcanic earthquakes, including three volcanic tremors lasting two to four minutes, and 318 rockfall events.

Meanwhile, Alert Level 3 remains in effect over the volcano, signifying intensified or magmatic unrest.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone remains strictly prohibited. /apl