Mayon Volcano’s lava flow now over 2 kilometers from crater —PHIVOLCS

The lava flow from the crater of Mayon Volcano has already reached two kilometers, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Thursday.

Based on PHIVOLCS’ 8 a.m. bulletin, the very slow effusion of lava flow along Mi-isi gully grew from 1.6 kilometers on Wednesday to 2.1 kilometers on Thursday.

Also, the lava flow along Bonga gully also extended from 1.2 kilometers to 1.3 kilometers.

The moderate emission of plumes from the volcano also grew from 800 to 1000 meters, drifting to west-northwest, north-northwest, and northeast directions.

“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.

“It is therefore recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) be evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards,” it added.

A total of 296 rockfall events, seven dome-collapse pyroclastic density current events, and two lava front collapse pyroclastic density current events were recorded over Mayon.

The volcano emitted 595 tonnes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on Wednesday.

Lava collapse was also observed on Mi-is and Bonga gullies within 3.3 kilometers from the crater.

“Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised, “ PHIVOLCS said.

PHIVOLCS also warned that heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits were emplaced.

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.

A total of 41,532 people or 10,655 families in 26 barangays in Bicol have been affected by Mayon's activity, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

Of the affected population, 18,754 individuals or 5,365 families are staying in 28 evacuation centers, while 1,427 individuals or 408 families are taking shelter in other places.

A total of 1,107 livestock animals were also preemptively evacuated.

A state of calamity was declared in 18 cities and municipalities.

Assistance worth P109,777,421 has been provided to the victims, the NDRRMC said. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News