Mayon Volcano volcanic quakes reach 70 in past 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

The number of volcanic earthquakes in Mayon Volcano in Albay in the past 24 hours reached 70, more than double the 31 quakes tallied the previous day, data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) showed on Sunday.

The volcanic earthquakes recorded from 5 a.m. of October 21 to 5 a.m. of October 22 include 65 tremor events lasting from two minutes to four hours and 31 minutes; one pyroclastic density current (PDC) event; and 51 rockfall events, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin.

"Continuous pa rin na namamaga ang bulkan na ang ibig sabihin, mayroong magma sa loob na kailangang lumabas. Last night, bahagyang lumakas ang paglabas ng lava," Mayon Volcano Observatory resident volcanologist Dr. Paul Alanis said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

(The volcano continues to inflate, meaning there is magma that needs to get out. Last night, the lava flows became a bit stronger.)

"The lava flows have maintained their advances to approximately 3.4 kilometers in Bonga (southeastern), 2.8 kilometers in Mi-isi (south), and 1.1 kilometers in Basud (eastern) Gullies," the agency said in its bulletin.

"Rockfalls and PDCs generated by the collapse of the summit dome deposited debris still within four (4) kilometers of the crater," it added.

"Based on our estimate, between 47 million to 48 million cubic meters ang total ng volcanic deposit ang inilabas ng Mayon Volcano," Alanis said.

(Based on our estimate, between 47 million to 48 million cubic meters of total volcanic deposit were released by Mayon Volcano.)

Meanwhile, an average of 727 tonnes of sulfur dioxide were emitted by the volcano on October 21.

PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 3 remains in effect for Mayon Volcano as it continues to show intensified or magmatic unrest.

The volcano "is currently in a relatively high level of unrest, and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days could still be possible," it said.

The agency reiterated its recommendation to keep the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) evacuated as it may be affected by PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

PHIVOLCS also urged increased vigilance against PDCs, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels.

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

Flying aircraft close to the volcano is hazardous due to ash from any sudden eruption, PHIVOLCS said.

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

"Dahil idineklara na ang Amihan, nag-iba na rin ang direksyon ng hangin... Wala naman tayong ashfalls na naoobserbahan," Alanis said.

(Because the Northeast Monsoon season is here, the direction of the winds has changed. We have not observed any ashfall.) —KG, GMA Integrated News