1 volcanic quake, 59 rockfall events recorded at Mayon Volcano, Alert Level 3 still up

Mayon Volcano in Albay had one volcanic earthquake and 59 rockfall events in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Saturday.

"Between 5 a.m. kahapon and 5 a.m. ngayon, we recorded 59 rockfall events. Mas mababa ito kumpara sa 199 rockfall events that we recorded between June 8 and 9," PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview on Saturday on dzBB.

(Between 5 a.m. yesterday and 5 a.m. today, we recorded 59 rockfall events. This is lower than the 199 rockfall events that we recorded between June 8 and 9.)

A crater glow was seen with the naked eye on Friday evening. 

"Itong rockfall events, ang source nito ay 'yung materials na nanggaling sa old lava dome.... May volcanic materials na nagpu-push... Natanggal na 'yung lava dome natin and bago nang lava dome na nakita kagabi...'Yung [bagong] lava dome na nakita natin would contain high amount of gas," Bacolcol said.

The volcano emitted 417 tons of sulfur dioxide on Friday, PHIVOLCS added in its bulletin. 

"Medyo mataas kaysa sa (This is higher than the) 332 tons per day of sulfur dioxide that we measured on June 6," Bacolcol said.

However, this is still lower than the 500 tons of sulfur dioxide measured last June 5, he added.

Moderate plumes were seen at the volcano and these drifted southeast.

The volcano edifice remains inflated.

PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 3 (Intensified Unrest/Magmatic Unrest) remains in effect.

"Ang Bulkang Mayon ay nasa Alert Level 3 since June 8. Ang ibig sabihin ng Alert Level 3 ay increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption," PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview on Saturday on dzBB.

(The Mayon Volcano is on Alert Level 3 since June 8. Alert Level 3 means there is an increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.)

The agency reminded the public that entry into the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) and flying aircraft close to the volcano are not allowed.

PHIVOLCS said the volcano may cause rockfalls or landslides or avalanches, ballistic fragments, lava flows and lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, and moderate-sized explosions.

"Tinitignan natin ngayon 'yung increase in sulfur dioxide. Kapag nakakita tayo ng longer lava flow, frequent pyroclastic density current, kapag mayroong lava fountaining, isa na 'yan sa indicators na kailangan nang itaas sa Alert Level 4," Bacolcol added.

Likewise the alert level can be reverted back to Level 2 if parameters are met, he said. —KG, GMA Integrated News