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Mayon may erupt soon; alert level 3 raised


After five successive minor ash explosions and 43 volcanic earthquakes recorded for the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday raised the alert level at Mayon Volcano from two to three. “Kaninang umaga nagkaroon po ng maliliit na pagsabog. Hindi naman ito kalakasan. At ngayong gabi napansin nga ng ating staff na merong nagbabagong material na lumalabas sa crater," said Phivolcs director Renato Solidum in an interview with radio dzBB. (This morning, Philvolcs had recorded minor explosions from the volcano, while tonight, our staff noticed fresh volcanic materials coming out of its crater.) “Dahil dito tinataas natin yung alert level from alert level 2 to alert level 3 (Because of this, we have raised the alert status in Mayon Volcano from alert level 2 to 3)," he added.


Alex Baloloy, senior science research analyst at the Phivolcs Mayon Observatory in Daraga, Albay, said the volcanic activity recorded in the volcano's parameters, particularly the rolling of incandescent materials or lava trickles, could eventually lead to hazardous magmatic eruption. Solidum said state seismologists would closely monitor developments at the volcano. For the meantime, residents are prohibited from performing any activity around the volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone and one-kilometer southeast sector, Solidum said. Rescue groups ready Solidum said they have already coordinated with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in preparing for a possible evacuation of residents living at the foot of the volcano. Albay Governor Joey Salceda has also ordered local government units in the province to activate the evacuation plans to maintain the zero casualty goal. Salceda also advised local disaster coordinating councils to directly advised the population in the danger zone to have their evacuation kits ready and wait for an advisory to be issued any time from Monday night to Tuesday. Salceda also ordered the Joint Task Force Mayon to pre-positioned its vehicles for a possible evacuation of 30,000 residents. Phivolcs had earlier said that there had been an increase in the current activity of Mayon Volcano since June 2009. History of eruptions Phivolcs’ Web site on Mayon said the volcano has had at least 40 eruptions since February 1616, the most destructive of which occurred in Feb. 1, 1814 when pyroclastic flows, volcanic lightning, and lahar affected Camalig, Cagsawa, Budiao, Guinobatan and half of Albay. At least 1,200 were listed as casualties. The second most destructive eruption was from June 4 to July 23, 1897, as pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar and volcanic lightning caused 350 casualties. On July 20-24, 1766, pyroclastic and lava flows destroyed Malinao and damaged Cagsawa, Guinobatan, Budiao, Polangui and Ligao. There were 39 casualties. On July 7, 1853, 34 casualties were listed as ashfall and pyroclastic flow and lahar affected Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Oas, Polangui, Malilipot, Bacacay, and Cagsawa. From Feb. 2 to April 4, 1993, pyroclastic and lava flow killed 77 and injured five. Mayon erupted again from July to October 2006. In August 2006, government ordered the evacuation of people living near the volcano. On Oct. 3, 2006, Phivolcs downgraded the threat level to Alert Level 2. On Oct. 25, it downgraded the threat level to Alert Level 1. But on Nov. 30 that year, Typhoon Durian caused mudslides of volcanic ash and boulders from the slopes of Mayon Volcano, burying at least 1,000. - with Michael Jaucian/KBK, GMANews.TV
Tags: mayonvolcano
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