Mayon Volcano alert level raised to 2

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Monday raised the alert level status of Mayon Volcano from Level 1 to Level 2 or "increasing unrest."

In an advisory, PHIVOLCS said this means "there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption."

It observed that rockfall increased in frequency from an average of 5 events per day to 49 events per day from 5 a.m. of June 4, 2023 to 5 a.m. of June 5, 2023.

PHIVOLCS said a total of 318 rockfall events have been recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network since April 1 2023 while 26 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded for the same period.

Due to this development, PHIVOLCS advised the public to remain vigilant and desist from entering the volcano's six kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides.

"In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Mayon's crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask," PHIVOLCS said.

Meanwhile, the agency also said civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to Mayon Volcano's summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

PHIVOLCS said it would closely monitor the activities of Mayon Volcano, noting that developments will be communicated to concerned stakeholders.  —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA Integrated News