Mayon Volcano rockfall events reach 500 in past 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

A total of 511 rockfall incidents were logged in Mayon Volcano over the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Tuesday. 

PHIVOLCS’ bulletin showed that the volcano in Albay also had three volcanic earthquakes and 38 pyroclastic density current (PDC) events from 5 a.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Mayon Volcano, which is currently under Alert Level 3 due to intensified unrest, also continued to have a “very slow effusion” of lava flow from its crater which reached as far as 2.8 kilometers along the Mi-isi Gully.

The lava flow stretched to 1.4 kilometers, meanwhile, along the Bonga Gully.

There were also lava collapses along the Basud Gully that reached 4 kilometers from the crater, according to PHIVOLCS.

Mayon Volcano also emitted a moderate 800 meter-tall plume which drifted south-southwest and southwest.

It also generated 721 tonnes of sulfur dioxide flux on Monday, July 10.

The volcano’s edifice is also still inflated, said PHIVOLCS.

Around 50 families still residing within Mayon Volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) were evacuated amid the volcano’s continued unrest, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Sunday. 

PHIVOLCS reiterated on Tuesday that the PDZ should be kept off limits.

Likewise, flying aircraft close to the volcano is not allowed.

The volcano may cause hazards such as rockfalls, landslides, or avalanches; ballistic fragments; lava flows and lava fountaining; PDCs; moderate-sized explosions, and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall, PHIVOLCS said.

Meanwhile, evacuees from the municipality of Daraga, Albay affected by Mayon Volcano's unrest received aid from GMA Kapuso Foundation. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News