Mayon Volcano Displays Restiveness Anew

Mount Mayon in Albay spewed ash twice on Thursday morning, signifying that the volcano remains unstable, a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) report said.

The blasts, which were of phreatic kind, were recorded at 8:17 a.m. followed by 8:25 a.m. Thursday.

Renato Solidum, Phivolcs director, said the explosions were triggered by a steam pressure that developed underneath the volcano’s vent.

He explained that when steam mixes with lava, it produces pressure that results in a phreatic eruption.

Solidum also noted Phivolcs instrument observed significant bulging around the mid-section of the volcano’s edifice.

He said, however, that the phreatic episode does not warrant the raising of Mayon’s alert status, thus, Alert Level 2 remains hoisted.

Solidum reiterated Phivolcs’ warning to the public to keep out of the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone. (PNA)