
By Trisha Casabar
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, June 26, reported that Mayon Volcano is still on Alert Level 3 due to its magmatic unrest.
According to Phivolcs, the volcano is currently experiencing a “relatively high level of unrest.”
“Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days is possible,” DOST-Phivolcs said in an advisory issued Monday at 8:00 a.m.
Within the last 24 hours, the Mayon Volcano Network recorded eight instances of dome-collapse pyroclastic density currents (PDC), 263 rockfall events, and 102 volcanic earthquakes.
“Very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed lava flows and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies,” Phivolcs added.
Phivolcs advised the public to evacuate from the six kilometer-radius permanent danger zone to reduce the risks associated with PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.
Heavy rainfall may cause channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows.
It also informed civil aviation authorities to advise pilots to avoid flying near the summit of the volcano as ash from a sudden eruption can pose a threat to aircraft, which most likely occur on the south side of the volcano.
As of June 26, at least 18,706 individuals are being served inside evacuation centers. – cf