No man’s land declared in Mayon 6-km radius
LEGAZPI CITY: Following the sudden phreatic explosion of Mayon on Sunday, February 4, the provincial government of Albay has banned all human activity within the volcano’s 6-kilometer radius.
Albay Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman on Monday, February 5, issued an order declaring the 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) a “no man’s land.”
He directed the city, municipal and barangay disaster risk reduction management councils to be vigilant in their respective areas to prevent anyone from entering the PDZ. He also ordered the immediate evacuation of any person still staying inside the PDZ.
On Sunday, Mayon erupted at 4:37 p.m., lasting for 169 seconds.
The phreatic eruption resulted in rockfall, pyroclastic density currents and a 1,200-meter-tall plume that drifted to the southwest direction.
“In the event of an ashfall, the public are advised to use a face mask and a damp cloth to cover nose and mouth,” Lagman said.
Dr. Paul Alanis, Phivolcs resident volcanologist in Bicol, said the phreatic eruption generated a plume but no ashfall was reported in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan and Daraga.
Alanis said there is a possibility that Sunday’s phreatic explosion could lead to a serious or big eruption but, as of Monday, he sees no indication of that happening.
On June 8, 2023, Alert Level 3 was hoisted over Mayon Volcano following heightened unrest.
Alert Level 3 means there is an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption,” coming from the “increasing unrest” under Alert Level 2.
Alanis said that the Mayon Volcano ejected approximately 49 million cubic meters of volcanic materials for several months of effusive eruption.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) lowered Mayon’s alert status to Level 2 on Dec. 8, 2023 due to declining parameters in volcanic activities.
Mayon’s alert status remained at Level 2 despite Sunday’s eruption. The volcano, however, is still exhibiting crater glow, visible to the naked eye at night time.