PHIVOLCS: Mayon Volcano logged 184 volcanic earthquakes, 238 rockfall events in past 24 hours

A total of 184 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Monday.

This is higher compared to the nine volcanic earthquakes reported on Sunday.

In its latest bulletin, PHIVOLCS said 238 rockfall events and three dome-collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC) events were also recorded.

The volcano, located in Albay, also emitted 1,689 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Sunday.

“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.

Very slow effusion of lava flows from the crater were observed along Mi-isi gully extending up to 2.8 kilometers and along Bonga gully extending up to 1.4 kilometers, it added.

Lava collapse was also seen along Basud gully up to 4 kilometers from the crater.

The plumes observed in the volcano were obscured, according to PHIVOLCS.

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 (southeast) and Basud (east) gullies of the volcano. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News