Mayon Volcano has had 265 rockfall events, very slow lava flow

Mayon Volcano in Albay continued to show intensified and magmatic unrest in the past 24 hours, with 265 rockfall events and very slow lava flow, among others, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Monday.

While no volcanic earthquakes were recorded, there were five pyroclastic density current events.

The "very slow effusion" of lava flow ran to as long as 1.5 kilometer.

The lava collapse on Mi-isi and Bonga Gullies was within 3.3 kilometers from the crater, PHIVOLCS said.

Mayon Volcano emitted 889 tons of sulfur dioxide on Sunday, which was lesser than the 1,004 tons emitted Saturday. 

The volcano also emitted moderate plumes rising up to 600 meters tall. These drifted generally westward.

PHIVOLCS said the volcano edifice remains inflated.

Alert Level 3 (intensified unrest/magmatic unrest) remains in effect on Monday in Mayon Volcano, it added.

PHIVOLCS again reminded the public that entry into the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and flying aircraft close to Mayon Volcano are prohibited.

The agency said Mayon Volcano may cause hazards such as rockfalls, landslides, or avalanches; ballistic fragments, lava flows and lava fountaining; pyroclastic density currents; moderate-sized explosions; and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Almost 20,000 residents in the Bicol Region have been evacuated amid Mayon Volcano’s continued unrest, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday.

On Monday, the NDRRMC said more than 38,000 individuals have been affected by the continued unrest of Mayon Volcano.

According to the latest NDRRMC situational report, the volcano has affected a total of 10,146 families or 38,961 people in 26 barangays, less than the 38,979 individuals previously affected.

Of the affected individuals, 5,466 families or 18,892 people are at evacuation centers while 353 families or 1,235 people are staying with their families.

A total of 628 individuals in Region V have been injured.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has imposed a price freeze on basic goods in Albay as the province was placed under a state of calamity due to Mayon Volcano's unrest.

In a statement on Friday, the DTI said the price freeze order was issued by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

Meanwhile, the Albay provincial government is considering the permanent relocation of residents living within the six-kilometer radius of Mayon Volcano’s Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

Governor Edcel Greco Lagman said they will work on the possible resettlement when the situation in Albay normalizes amid the current restiveness of Mayon Volcano. —KG, GMA Integrated News