Mayon Volcano logged 79 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

A total of 79 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded in Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Friday.

PHIVOLCS also reported 216 rockfall events and seven dome collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC) events in its latest bulletin.

There were also eight lava front collapse PDC events observed in the volcano, which is higher compared to the two PDCs reported on Thursday.

The volcano also emitted 973 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Thursday.

The moderate emission of plumes from the volcano grew from 500 meters on Thursday to 600 meters on Friday, which drifted to the west-northwest and west-southwest directions.

Alert Level 3 is still raised over Mayon Volcano, which means “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 advised that the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) be evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

Very slow effusion of lava flows were still observed along Mi-isi gully up to 2.8 kilometers and along Bonga gully up to 1.3 kilometers.

Lava collapse on Mi-isi and Bonga gullies was also observed within 3.3 kilometers, as well as on Basud gully within 4 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS warned that heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits are emplaced.

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

It added that pilots should avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

Based on the current prevailing wind pattern, PHIVOLCS said ash fall events may most likely occur on the south side of the volcano.

Alert Level 3 in Mayon Volcano was raised on June 8 after three PDC events were observed on the Bonga and Basud gullies of the volcano.

A total of 37,953 people or 9,779 families in 26 barangays in Bicol have been affected by Mayon's activity as of Wednesday, according the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). 

Of the affected population, 18,721 individuals or 5,362 families are staying in 28 evacuation centers, while 1,427 individuals or 408 families are taking shelter in other places.

A total of 1,120 livestock animals were also preemptively evacuated.

A state of calamity has been declared in 18 cities and municipalities.

Assistance worth P135,682,934 has been provided to the victims, according to the NDRRMC. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News