Mayon Volcano Restive; Alert Level 3 Raised

Mayon Volcano is now under alert level 3 as it exhibited increased tendency towards hazardous eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

“Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest and that magma is at the crater, and that a hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days,” declared PHIVOLCS in its latest bulletin on Mayon Volcano.

Mayon on relatively high unrest

PHIVOLCS Albay resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta confirmed that a lava flow was already creeping downslope from Mayon volcano’s crater with its direction following the existing volcanic gullies at the southwestern direction.

Based on seismic record as of yesterday afternoon, two lava collapse events occurred at Mayon Volcano that produced rockfall and small-volume pyroclastic density currents.

“In addition, Mayon’s seismic monitoring network recorded two (2) volcanic earthquakes and one-hundred forty-one (141) rockfall events during the past 24 hours,” Laguerta said.

Evacuation ongoing

With the raising of the alert status, Laguerta noted the extension of the danger zone from the 6KM permanent danger zone (PDZ) to the 7-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ) radius of the volcano.

Meanwhile, the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that some 2,785 families or 10,966 persons have evacuated from the danger zones particularly in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Malilipot, and Ligao.

In Camalig, some 1,008 families or 4,158 persons were evacuated from barangays Anoling, Salugan, Quirangay, Tumpa, Sua, and upper Cabangan to Camalig National Central School, Cabangan Elementary School, and Anoling Elementary School.

In Guinobatan, the affected 774 families or 2,655 individuals from barangays Maninila, Tandarora, Mabalod, Sitio Basiao, and Sitio Hacienda were staying in the elementary school of Guinobatan East and Binogsacan and Muladbucad multi-purpose center.

Some 634 families or 2, 482 individuals from barangays Canaway, Calbayog, and San Roque in Malilipot and Baligang in Ligao were likewise moved to safer areas.

Be vigilant

PHIVOLCS has strongly advised the public to desist from entering the PDZ and the 7-km EDZ on the southern flanks due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides, and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.

Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and sediment-laden stream flows along channels draining the edifice was also advised.

Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, the PHIVOLCS said.

Based on the seasonal wind pattern, ash fall events may most likely occur on the southwest side of the volcano.(SAA/MAL-PIA5/Photo by Eli Casim Photography)