By Christine Fabro
A new summit lava dome in the Mayon Volcano Crater emerged amid the volcano’s intensified unrest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported Saturday morning, June 10.
This after its pre-existing one has been pushed out in increments that formed rockfalls in the first week of the month.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said in a radio interview on Saturday that the new lava dome would contain a high amount of gas which may result in an explosive activity.
“‘Yung [bagong] lava dome na nakita natin would contain high amount of gas.. If the gas can’t escape easily, it can accumulate doon sa dome and if there’s a sudden gas release from the dome, it can result in an explosive activity,” Bacolcol said.
According to Phivolcs, the Mayon Volcano Network has recorded a total of 59 rockfall events and one volcanic earthquake in the last 24-hour period.
The provincial government of Albay on Friday, June 10, began the mandatory evacuation of about 2,400 families residing within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone of Mayon Volcano. – gb