By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported brief lava fountaining activity on Monday at Mayon Volcano as its effusive eruption continues for 70 days.
In its latest 24-hour monitoring bulletin, Phivolcs reported that lava flows continued to move through several gullies while remaining under Alert Level 3.
Lava flows were recorded reaching 3.8 kilometers (km) in the Basud Gully, 3.2 km in the Bonga Gully, and 1.3 km in the Mi-isi Gully, accompanied by intermittent strombolian activity (relatively mild eruptions) and occasional lava fountaining at the summit crater.
The agency also logged 539 volcanic earthquakes during the monitoring period, along with 290 rockfall events and seven pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or uson.
Moreover, Phivolcs reported that crater glow was visible. Sulfur dioxide emissions were measured at 1,220 tonnes per day, while a 200-meter-high plume was observed drifting westward from the crater.
Ground deformation data also indicated that the volcano remains inflated, suggesting ongoing magma movement beneath the edifice.
Under Alert Level 3, Mayon is in a state of high unrest, meaning that magmatic eruption could occur within weeks or even days.
Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remains strictly prohibited due to the risk of sudden hazards, including rockfalls, lava flows, ash emissions, pyroclastic density currents, and explosive eruptions.
Residents and local government units were also warned about the possible occurrence of lahars in channels surrounding the volcano during heavy rainfall.
Phivolcs continues to closely monitor Mayon’s activity and urged the public to stay vigilant and follow official advisories. (With a report from Melrose Lagonoy, OJT/PNA)
