Fewer volcanic quakes recorded around Mayon

At least 17 volcanic earthquakes and 10 tremor events were recorded around Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours, state seismologists said yesterday.

The quakes, which was lower from the 338 previously recorded, mostly corresponded to sporadic and weak fountaining events, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Mayon emitted sulfur dioxide gas at an average of 1,583 tons per day on Friday.

“Sporadic and weak lava fountaining, lava flow and degassing from the summit crater characterized Mayon’s activity on Friday. Much of the activity produced low white to lightgray plumes, except for one that produced a 1000-meter tall gray ash plume at 9:18 a.m.,” Phivolcs said.

Alert Level 4 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano and the public is advised to be vigilant against pyroclastic density currents, lahar and sediment-laden stream flows, and to stay away from the eight-kilometer danger zone.

Pilots have been advised to avoid flying near the crater as ashes from sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

Meanwhile, the government is constructing at least 330 toilets with bath spaces in several evacuation centers in Albay to improve the living condition of the evacuees.

Authorities also ordered evacuees from outside the eight-kilometer danger zone to return home to avoid an outbreak of disease.

Officials said residents from outside the danger zone need not evacuate.