PHIVOLCS: Mayon Volcano had ‘intermittent ashing’ up to 43 minutes

Over the past 24 hours, Mayon Volcano in Albay had phases of “intermittent ashing” that lasted 1 up to 43 minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Tuesday.

PHIVOLCS noted on its latest bulletin that Mayon Volcano had 258 volcanic earthquakes, including 57 ashing events which had 30 seconds to 1 minute and 17 seconds duration.

One tremor event that lasted 1 minute and 30 seconds, and 100 rockfall events were also recorded in the restive volcano.

A slow effusion of lava flow from Mayon Volcano’s crater also continued, reaching 3.4 kilometers along Bonga Gully, 2.8 kilometers along Mi-isi Gully, and 600 meters along Basud Gully.

There were also lava collapses that got as far as 4 kilometers from the crater.

On Monday, PHIVOLCS reported that the lava effusion from the summit of Mayon Volcano continued for the eighth straight week.

Mayon Volcano, which remained under Alert Level 3 due to its intensified unrest or magmatic unrest, also generated 2,325 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux on Monday, July 31.

It also emitted a moderate amount of plume which drifted northeast.

A long-term inflation on the volcano’s edifice was also observed, while a short-term deflation was seen on its eastern sector, said PHIVOLCS. 

NDRRMC

As of July 31, a total of P257,884,562.38 worth of assistance has been provided in the Bicol Region due to Mayon Volcano’s unrest, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

This was composed of family food packs, hygiene kits, modular tents, and sleeping kits, among others.

The NDRRMC said over 38,000 individuals or nearly 10,000 families in 26 barangays were affected by the volcanic activities. 

Of them, 18,782 people or 5,372 families were staying in 27 evacuation centers in the Bicol Region, while 1,452 people or 418 families were seeking temporary shelters outside of evacuation centers. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News