Phivolcs raises Mayon’s alert level

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday morning raised the alert level of Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol from 0 to 1.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said Mayon “is at an abnormal condition and has entered a period of unrest.”

Phivolcs said it monitored increased gas emission, ground deformation, and volcanic earthquake activity in Mayon’s parameters.

Phivolcs said sulfur oxide emission from the volcano’s crater has consistently increased beyond the baseline level of 500 tonnes a day and exceeded 1,000 tonnes in some days since July.

The Mayon Volcano Observatory seismic network also recorded a total of 146 earthquakes from August 3 to 6, which “likely emanated from rock-fracturing processes that may or may not be associated with magmatic activity.”

“Continuous Global Positioning System and tilt measurements show a continuous inflationary trend since July 2016.  Results of Precise leveling and electronic distance surveys on the last week of August 2016 indicate inflation of the edifice, possibly due to magma movement at depth,” Phivolcs said.

“Four of the 14 monitored water wells located on the southeastern side of Mayon are experiencing decrease in water discharge while one well has dried-up. Steaming activity from the crater has ranged from weak to moderate. No crater glow or banaag has been observed so far,” it added.

Phivolcs advised the public to avoid entry into the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone “due to perennial hazards of rockfalls, avalanches, ash puffs and sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruption at the summit area which may occur without warning.”

“Furthermore, people living in valleys and active river channels are cautioned to remain vigilant against sediment-laden streamflows and lahars in the event of prolonged and heavy rainfall brought about by the advent of the rainy season,” the advisory read. CDG/rga

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