PHIVOLCS records 75 lava collapses, brief lava fountaining in Mayon

State volcanologists have recorded 75 lava collapses and a formation of a new lava dome on Mount Mayon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported Tuesday morning.

PHIVOLCS said the 75 lava collapses were recorded from 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

It said the laval collapse events were corresponded with a rockfall alog with advancing lava and short pyroclastic flows down to the Missi Gully, within the volcano's six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ).

PHIVOLCS also reported that it recorded a "quiet lava effusion from a new summit lava dome, lava flow down the Miisi and Bonga Gullies."

A lava dome is a lava mass shaped like a mound and is formed by viscous magma.

PHIVOLCS research specialist Ed Villacorte said this lava dome could collapse anytime, which is why the agency has been urging people not to enter the PDZ.

Villacorte said the video below is an example of an event when a lava dome collapses.

PHIVOLCS also recorded during the 24-hour period nine episodes of volcanic tremour, four of which came with brief lava fountaining.

Collapse and some degassing events at the summit crater spewed ash two kilometers high that fell on barangays in Camalig, Guinobatan and Polangui towns in Albay, adding that lava flow on the Miisi Gully has advanced around two kilometers from the crater.

Shorter volume lava flows have been positioned on the upper slopes of the Bonga Gully, PHIVOLCS added.

The PHIVOLCS raised Alert Level 3 over the volcano on Sunday night, following three phreatic or steam-driven eruptions that produced thick ash columns.

Alert Level 3 means the volcano is in a relatively high level of unrest, as magma is at the crater, so the public is reminded anew to “be vigilant” and to refrain from entering the PDZ and the 7-kilometer radius extended danger zone on the volcano’s southern sides due to the hazard of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions that could cause dangerous volcanic flows.

The PHIVOLCS also advised “increased vigilance” against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden streamflows.

Pilots are also reminded to avoid flying close to the summit, given ash from sudden eruptions can be hazardous to aircraft.

The seasonal wind pattern suggests that ash fall events may most likely occur on the volcano’s southwest side, the advisory said.

Despite the striking image of lava cascading down the volcano front and the danger it poses, some residents still return to the PDZ. —ALG, GMA News