No evacuation after Mayon’s phreatic eruption

Provincial and scientific teams continue to monitor Mayon Volcano after its phreatic eruption on Sunday afternoon, as stated in a report Monday by GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia.

Authorities said there is no need for residents to be evacuated due to the phreatic eruption. Evacuations are ordered when the volcano reaches Alert Level 3.

Mayon is currently on Alert Level 2.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) there was no further phreatic eruptions as of 3 p.m.

It was 4:37 p.m. Sunday when Mayon emitted a 1,200 meter-tall plume from its crater. The phreatic eruption lasted almost 3 minutes.

Trace ashes or a light covering of ash were reported in the towns of Camalig and Libon in Albay.

On Monday. Mayon Volcano remained calm except for a volcanic earthquake at around 3 p.m.

PHIVOLCS, however, yesterday's eruption and today’s earthquake were not enough to raise Mayon’s Alert Level.

"'Yung mechanism po ng mga phreatic eruptions, may tubig (there’s water), coming into contact with a hot magma body. Pwedeng mainit na mga bato (It could also be very hot rocks). Kukulo po iyon (it would boil), magiging steam, at dahil pressurized siya dahil nasa ilalim ng bulkan, magkakaroon o pwedeng magkaroon ng isang explosion o eruption na mangyari." said Dr. Paul Alanis, PHIVOLCS Bicol Resident Volcanologist.

The Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office (DRRMO) is maintaining the current alert status.

"Close monitoring sa Mayon. Para just in case may matanggap ulit na bulletin from Mayon Volcano na may situation na similar na nangyari kahapon, lagi lang nakahanda ang DRRMO saka prepared ang community for possible action," assured Dr. Cedric Daep. head of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO).

There is no magma rising from the Mayon Volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Monday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Sunday evening issued a notice to pilots instructing them to avoid going near Mayon Volcano due to the phreatic eruption that occurred earlier in the day.—RF, GMA Integrated News