New summit lava dome seen in Mayon Volcano

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) released new photos of Mayon volcano's summit on Saturday, where a new lava dome can be seen emerging.

PHIVOLCS posted the new photos on social media with a caption that described what was going on at Mayon's summit.

"A new summit lava dome in the Mayon Volcano Crater emerges as its pre-existing one has been pushed out in increments that formed rockfall in the first week of June 2023," said PHIVOLCS. 

It added that the photos were taken by the Mayon Volcano Observatory at 5:45 a.m. 

According to PHIVOLCS the new lava dome is filled with gas, which can cause steam buildup.

"It can still go either way right now. Kahit may lava dome, puwedeng tahimik pa rin ‘yung paglabas Niyan. Or magkaron ng explosive eruptions," said Resident Volcanologist PHIVOLCS Bicol, Dr. Paul Alanis, in Jessica Calinog’s report on 24 Oras. 

"Pero again, ang important thing is, wala na pong tao doon sa loob ng 6-kilometer permanent danger zone," he added.

PHIVOLCS reported one volcanic earthquake and 59 rockfall events in the past 24 hours.

"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. 

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

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

"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," added Bacolcol.

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.

Authorities already started the evacuation of 2,400 families or 10,000 individuals living within the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mayon Volcano on Friday.

Local officials don’t expect evacuees will be able to return to their homes soon.

“Magsasakripisyo po taya kasi nasa disaster po tayo. Halos ingatan lang natin na hindi tayo magkakasakit. Alagaan natin ang ating mga sarili. Pasensya na po kas nasa disaster tam,” said Mi-Isi Brgy cap. Nonito Alema.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is already preparing supplies for the evacuees

“What we are doing right now is synchronizing our efforts, para walang redundancies and walang overlapse,” said DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian.

A Price freeze has also been implemented in the province.

On Thursday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the government is ready to assist affected residents if the situation worsens.

Meanwhile, classes in all schools within the six-kilometer radius danger zone of Mayon Volcano in Albay were suspended, Governor Edcel Greco Lagman said Friday.

Lagman said work would continue despite the cancellation of classes. However, all forms of economic activity were  temporarily suspended inside the danger zone to ensure the safety of residents.

The provincial government has placed Albay under state of calamity due to the activity of Mayon Volcano. —VAL/KG, GMA Integrated News