LEGAZPI City – Mayon Volcano spewed ash plumes in a “phreatic explosion” on Sunday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs resident volcanologist Dr. Ed Laguerta said the phreatic explosion occurred at around 12:34 p.m. The volcano spewed white to light gray ash clouds about 500 meters high.
“The explosion happened following a downpour where the ash emitted by was considered as minimal,” Laguerta said.
He added that the phreatic explosion “backs up our recommendation not to lower the alert status of Mayon volcano as it is still exhibiting signs of abnormalities though the trend of restiveness is moving from moderate level of unrest to quiet period or normalcy.”
Laguerta has earlier told members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that the agency could not yet give the green light to lower the alert status of two active volcanoes in the Bicol region – Mayon and Bulusan – as they still display signs of restiveness.
According to Laguerta, Mayon volcano still displays fair crater glows and sulfur dioxide emission of 1287 tons a day, which is way beyond its normal level.
Geodetic data gathered also indicate bulging at the volcano’s edifice.
Laguerta said parameters such as crater glows, high gas emission and inflated edifice are still signs that magma and gas pressures are present.
Mayon’s alert status remains at Level 2 which means that the volcano is at a moderate level of unrest.
The public is warned that sudden explosions, lava collapses, pyroclastic density currents, and ash fall can still occur and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes of Mayon.
The public is advised not to enter the six kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone and a precautionary seven kilometer-radius Extended Danger Zone in the south-southwest to east-northeast sector, stretching from Anoling, Camalig to Sta. Misericordia, Sto. Domingo. (With a report from PNA/PN)
