MANILA — State volcanologists on Tuesday believed the unrest in Mayon Volcano could last for a few months based on historical data.
Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), drew parallels between the latest activities and that of Mayon in 2018 and 2014.
“Based on our experience, this activity may persist [for] a few months,” Bacolcol said in a Teleradyo interview.
“Kapag violent naman ang eruption niya, this would probably take a few days to weeks, pero kapag ganitong mabagal, it would probably take several months,” he added.
Those living in the volcano’s permanent risk zone, according to Bacolcol, will have to remain in the shelters for at least the next few months.
More than 14,000 residents have been staying in evacuation centers, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
“Parang ganoon na nga ang mangyayari (That seems to be the case),” he said when asked if this meant that residents inside the volcano’s permanent danger zone would have their stay prolonged for a few months.
“Unless i-lower natin ang alert level natin, we have no choice but ‘yung mga taong nasa permanent danger zone, will have to stay muna sa evacuation centers. In the first place, dapat po walang tao diyan sa permanent danger zone,” he pointed out.
Phivolcs classified Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 3 last Thursday due to “potential explosive activity happening within days or weeks.”
If a volcano’s magma is at or near the surface, and its activity could lead to dangerous eruptions within weeks, an Alert Level 3 is announced.
State seismologists determined that increasing the danger zone beyond eight kilometers from the active crater would require a higher warning level.
Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman has already extended the “danger zone” of the volcano to seven-kilometer radius.
As of Tuesday, Phivolcs said the Mayon Volcano saw one volcanic earthquake, spewing 723 tonnes of sulfur dioxide. (John Eric Mendoza © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
