‘Ash fall is prelude to big event’—Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the ash fall in Mt. Mayon earlier Tuesday is considered as sign for a “big event.”

“Itong ash puff na ito kino-consider lang natin na precursor. . . for a big event (This ash puff we consider as a precursor for a big event),” Estie del Mundo of Phivolcs-Volcao Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division said in a radio interview with the Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Del Mundo, however, noted that the “big event” hasn’t happened yet, and that no volcanic quakes have yet been recorded so far.

She said the cause of the ash puff may be pressure build up or rain at the summit, which may have “disturbed” the ash deposits.

Five people were killed and several others were injured when ash spewed from Mt. Mayon earlier.

Mt. Mayon last exploded in 2010.

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.