Mayon had 7 pyroclastic density current, 299 rockfall events

Mayon Volcano had seven dome-collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC) events that lasted three minutes, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Wednesday.

This is higher compared to the two PDC events reported on Tuesday.

“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 in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

PHIVOLCS added that 299 rockfall events and two volcanic earthquakes were also recorded in the area in the past 24 hours.

A very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed lava flows and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies, it said.

The lava flows have advanced to maximum lengths of 2,500 meters along Mi-isi gully and 1800 meters along Bonga gully from the summit crater, while collapse debris has deposited to 3,300 meters from the crater, PHIVOLCS said.

Steam-laden plumes reaching up to 800 meters were also observed over the volcano drifting to the general west direction.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 507 tonnes per day on Tuesday, PHIVOLCS said.

PHIVOLCS recommended that the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) be evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls and, other volcanic hazards.

It also warned of possible pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice.

Heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits were emplaced.

Pilots should be prohibited from flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, according to PHIVOLCS.

Ash fall events may most likely occur on the south side of the volcano considering the current prevailing wind pattern, it added.

“DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders,” PHIVOLCS said.

The alert level 3 in Mayon Volcano was raised on June 8 after three PDC events on the Bonga (southeast) and Basud (east) Gullies of Mayon Volcano.

39,000 people affected

A total of 39,057 people or 10,171 families in 26 barangays in Bicol were affected by Mayon's activity, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

In its 8 a.m. report, NDRRMC said 18,899 persons or 5,466 families were staying in 28 evacuation centers, while 1,322 individuals or 377 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 908 livestock animals were also preemptively evacuated.

A State of calamity was declared in 18 cities and municipalities due to the threat of Mayon. —VAL, GMA Integrated News