32 volcanic quakes recorded at Mayon

LEGAZPI, Albay – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 32 volcanic quakes at Mayon Volcano from 2 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. yesterday.

“This could be due to a pressure buildup inside the crater triggered by a possible magma movement,” Ed Laguerta, Mayon resident volcanologist, said.

Phivolcs said this means the volcano remains restive, adding the alert level status 1 could not be downgraded.

Laguerta said Phivolcs is monitoring other critical indicators such as sulfur gas output. He said the volcano have emitted an average of 441 tons of sulfur dioxide since Oct. 17.

Leveling data obtained from Sept. 16 to 21 also indicated slight inflation of the volcano’s edifice.

Cedric Daep, Albay Provincial Security and Emergency Management Office head, warned the public against going up to the crater, saying it is “very risky.”

Daep said it is difficult to determine when the volcano would spew ash despite round-the-clock detailed monitoring.

He said the provincial government spent a lot of money to retrieve the bodies of four German tourists and their local guide who were trapped during a sudden ash explosion on May 7, 2013.

“Those caught by ash explosion at the southeast quadrant are difficult to evacuate because... it is not readily accessible,” Daep said.