Mayon Volcano Spews Ash

Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol was seen to have spewed ashes early Tuesday morning, alarming the nearby residents.

Alex Baloloy, science research specialist of the Philippine Institute of Science and Volcano (Phivolcs) confirmed that the spewing of ash and rocks was the composition of a “phreatic” explosion. Making the explosion more of an ‘ash puff’ instead of an eruption.

Phivolcs said the wind direct the ash to go west, towards Albay’s 3rd district, composed of 6 towns: Guinobatan, Jovellar, Libon, Oas, Polangui, and Pio Duran.

In a report, according to another Philvocs Research Speacialist, Espie Del Mundo, the ash puff was caused by the pressure which has been brewing for several years. This occurence also happened in Mayon Volcano last 2010.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. said there’s no reason to panic as it’s normal to have Mayon’s “steam-driven explosions” even at Alert Level 0.

For safety precautions, he reminded the public to take note about the six-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcano.

The Philvocs will still continue to observe if there’s a need to raise the alert level.

There are reports regarding mountaineers injured and killed during the explosion. However, the executive director of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Eduardo del Rosario, reported three died and four were injured in the volcanic explosion.

Source: gmanetwork.com, abs-cbnnews.com, inquirer.net