PHIVOLCS: Mayon Volcano logged 3 ashing events in past 24 hours

Three ashing events were recorded over Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Thursday.

In its latest report, PHIVOLCS said the ashing events lasted up to 25 seconds.

The ashing events in the volcano were first reported on Wednesday with 30 incidents that lasted 20 to 40 seconds, according to PHIVOLCS.

The number of rockfall events in the volcano increased from 137 to 169 on Thursday, while the sulfur dioxide emission also increased from 1,945 tonnes to 2,622 tonnes on Wednesday.

A total of 90 volcanic earthquakes and three pyroclastic density current  (PDC) events were also recorded.

A moderate emission of plumes reaching up to 1,200 meters was observed in the volcano, drifting to the southwest direction.

“Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days is possible,” PHIVOLCS said.

It added that a slow effusion of lava flows from the crater were still observed along Mi-isi gully extending up to 2.8 kilometers, along Bonga gully up to 2.4 kilometers, and along Basud gully up to 600 meters.

A lava collapse was also seen along Basud gully up to 4 kilometers from the crater.

PHIVOLCS warned that heavy and prolonged rainfall could generate channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits are emplaced.

“Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised,” PHIVOLCS said.

It added that pilots should avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

Alert Level 3 in Mayon Volcano was raised on June 8 after three PDC events were observed on the Bonga (southeast) and Basud (east) gullies of the volcano.

A total of 38,375 people or 9,867 families in 26 barangays in Bicol have been affected by Mayon's activity, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

Of the total number, 18,782 individuals or 5,372 families are staying in 27 evacuation centers, while 1,431 individuals or 409 families are taking shelter in other places.

A total of 1,120 livestock animals were also preemptively evacuated.

A state of calamity was declared in 18 cities and municipalities due to the volcano’s activity, according to the NDRRMC.

Assistance worth P226,042,517 has been provided to the victims, it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News