More lava collapse events trigger rockfall
As higher pressure builds up in Mayon Volcano, more lava collapse events were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), doubling to 143 events since Tuesday morning.
Phivolcs noted that the lava collapses triggered a rockfall along the front and margins of advancing lava and pyroclastic flows into Miisi, Matanag, and Buyuan Gullies, located within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).
These events generated ash cloud that drifted towards the southwest, it added.
Alert level 3 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano as it continues to be in a high level of unrest.
Phivolcs said magma is creeping up the restive volcano’s crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days.
It also observed increasing sulfur dioxide emission, measuring at an average of 3,293 tons per day. Phivolcs said sulfur dioxide is one of the components of a magma or lava.
According to Science and Technology Undersecretary Renato Solidum, the impending eruption of Mayon Volcano is not expected to be as massive as the Mt. Pinatubo, citing the two volcanoes different magma composition.
In comparison, Mayon Volcano had 51 major eruptions in history, while Mt. Pinatubo only had two (June 1991 and July 1992).
The agency advised the public to be vigilant and prevent people from entering the PDZ and the seven-kilometer extended danger zone on the southern flanks due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.
It also asked for increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised.
Civil aviation authorities were asked to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. 38,900 people affected
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday said that the number of families affected by Mayon volcano’s unrest has already reached 9,480 or 38,939 people from 36 barangays in Albay province.
NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan said the number of affected families increased after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay decided that residents in nine barangays in the municipality of Santo Domingo and Legazpi City, be evacuated due to threats of lahar and mud flow due to heavy rains.
Other families affected by Mayon’s unrest came from the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga, Malilipot , and the cities of Ligao and Tabaco in the province of Albay (Region V).
Marasigan said the affected residents are currently staying in 30 evacuation centers. (With a report from Francis Wakefield)