Mayon slowing down
Either a sign of returning to normal or prelude to a big bang – volcanologists
S TO. DOMINGO, Albay – Signs of the Mayon Volcano slowing down were monitored the past three days but volcanologists here still want to make sure the consistency of the data feed from their instruments to conclude if the situation would normalize or this is a prelude to the feared big bang.
On Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), sent field scientists to conduct confirmatory tests and collect new data from instruments installed near Mayon.
Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said among the data they observed is the decrease in the emission of sulfur dioxide from the volcano crater – from 3,066 tons a day on February 1 to an average of 1,500 tons a day in the past two days.
But the most significant data collected was from geologists which reported a one-millimeter deflation on the edifice of Mayon on its northern side.
The deflation in the volcano edifice means a decrease in the pressure inside the volcano as there may not be much resupply of magma to the Mayon's chamber.
“If this trend will continue, then it would be better because this means a gradual slowing down of the volcanic activities,” said Laguerta.
“But again, this could just be a pause so to make sure, we will reconfirm our data,” he added.
Prior to the January 22 hazardous eruption that prompted volcanologists here to hoist Alert Level 4 over Mayon, a decrease in Mayon activities were also monitored.
As such, Laguerta said the decrease in Mayon’s activities does not necessarily translate to the normalization of activities of the volcano here.
Among the data that Phivolcs wanted to confirm is the consistency of the downtrend in the deflation of Mayon edifice.
The deflation should also be supported by a decrease in emission of sulfur dioxide and other pyroclastic materials.
Old supply The continuous deflation and decrease in the materials being spewed by Mayon would mean that there is not much magma supply.
And what could be left are the old supply that remain in the two-kilometer passage outlet of the volcano heading toward the crater. Mayon is some 2.4-kilometer high.
This is the reason there is a continuous lava flow despite a possible decrease in the supply of magma.
“If there will be no additional intrusion, the lava flow will eventually stop,” said Laguerta.
The crater of the volcano, however, is not visible yesterday due to thick cloud that covered Mayon the whole day.
But near the Phivolcs station in Sto. Domingo town which is within the five kilometer distance from the crater, burning vegetation as a result of the lava flow was noticeable. Abrupt stop What they also want to continue monitoring is a case of sudden stop in the lava flow and degassing of Mayon that results in the ejection of pyroclastic density materials (composed of lava, ash and gas).
If an abrupt stop in the spewing of volcanic materials are monitored while monitoring instruments would read an increasing activity such as inflation of the edifice and volcanic quakes, the possibility of a big bang is high as this would mean that something is blocking the outlet of the volcano.
But so far, there is no indication of such scenario although volcanologists here wanted to make sure.
And if the data would indicate consistency in the decrease of May on activity, Laguerta said they still need one week to decide whether or not the alert level over Mayon would be downgraded.
So far, the activities of Mayon are still beyond normal, the reason it is still under Alert Level 4.
130 M for evacuees Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), through its Charity Calamity Fund, will be giving 130 million to Mayon evacuees in Albay.
PCSO Chairman Anselmo Simeon Patron Pinili disclosed this Saturday.
Under the Republic Act (RA) No. 1169, or the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office charter, the agency is mandated “to provide and raise funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character.”
“We have a yearly calamity fund of 1100 million approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for natural and manmade disasters,” said Pinili.
Temporary toilets The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), on the other hand, is constructing hundreds of temporary toilets in 56 evacuation centers.
The 333 temporary toilets have bathing areas, addressing the need for hygiene and sanitation facilities of evacuees temporarily staying in evacuation camps, DPWH Region 5 Director DaniloVersola said.
Expired relief goods denied The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has denied the distribution of expired relief goods to Mayon Volcano evacuees.
DSWD OIC Secretary Emmanuel Leyco, citing the report of DSWDBicol Region Director Arnel Garcia, said all the relief goods being distributed to the affected families of Mayon Volcano eruption will expire in 2020. (With reports from Jel Santos, BetheenaKae Unite, and Ellalyn de Vera Ruiz)