Mayon Volcano lava flows reach 2,500 meters down its gullies

Lava continued to flow very slowly out of the summit crater of Mayon Volcano in Albay in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Saturday.

"The lava flows have advanced to maximum lengths of two thousand five hundred (2500) meters and one thousand eight hundred (1800) meters along Mi-isi and Bonga gullies, respectively, from the summit crater while collapse debris have deposited to three thousand three hundred (3300) meters from the crater," PHIVOLCS said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

PHIVOLCS also said one dome-collapse pyroclastic density current or PDC lasting three minutes occurred from 5 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday.

A total of 308 rockfall events and two volcanic earthquakes were also recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network during the said period.

Moderate steam-laden plumes rising up to 600 meters also were observed due to continuous degassing from the summit crater. The plumes then drifted southwest.

Meanwhile, an average of 744 tons of sulfur dioxide were emitted by the volcano on Friday.

Mayon's upper slopes were also observed to be inflating since February 2023.

"Longer-term ground deformation parameters based on EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still inflated, especially on the northwest and southeast," PHIVOLCS added.

Alert Level 3 continues to be in effect in Mayon Volcano, it said.

This "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.

The agency thus reiterated that the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone should be evacuated as these may be affected by PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

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

It also warned the public of channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows which could be generated by heavy rainfall in channels where PDC deposits have been observed.

PHIVOLCS also reiterated that flying aircraft close to Mayon Volcano's summit is to be avoided due to the ash from any sudden eruption that may be hazardous to aircraft.

"Based on the current prevailing wind pattern, ash fall events may most likely occur on the south side of the volcano," PHIVOLCS added. —KG, GMA Integrated News