FILE PHOTO: Villages in areas identified as high-risk for lahar from Mayon Volcano are advised to be ready, especially during the typhoon season, as heavy and continuous rains may generate lahar flows along major channels. This image of Mayon was taken from Barangay Mabinit in Legazpi City on July 21, 2023. —MARK ALVIC ESPLANA
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recently reported increased activity in Mayon Volcano. Over the past 24 hours, there have been 185 rockfall events and 18 volcanic earthquakes recorded. Additionally, two pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) have been observed, causing concern among experts.
According to Phivolcs, the rockfall events and PDCs were caused by collapses of the lava flow margins and the summit dome. The debris from these events is still within four kilometers of the crater. In addition to these disturbances, the agency also detected a significant sulfur dioxide emission of 2,252 tons on Wednesday.
The effusion of lava from the summit crater continues to be slow, gradually reaching the established lava flows on the Bonga (southeastern), Mi-isi (south), and Basud (eastern) gullies. These lava flows are approximately 3.4 kilometers, 2.8 kilometers, and 1.1 kilometers from the crater, respectively.
Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 3, indicating a “relatively high level of unrest and hazardous eruption” may occur in the coming days or weeks. As a precautionary measure, Phivolcs recommends continuous evacuation from the 6-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone to ensure safety from potential hazards such as PDCs, rock falls, and lava flows.
Furthermore, the agency advises increased vigilance against PDCs, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the volcano. Heavy rainfall has the potential to generate lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits were previously located.
