Mayon Volcano lava continues to flow; rockfall events, volcanic quakes recorded —PHIVOLCS

Lava continued to flow out of Mayon Volcano in Albay in the past 24 hours, and rockfall events and volcanic earthquakes were also recorded, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Saturday. 

"In the past 24-hour period, very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed lava flows and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies as well as rockfall and PDCs on these and the Basud (eastern) Gullies," PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin.

The lava flows ran from the summit crater to 2,800 meters along the Mi-isi gully, and 1,400 meters along the Bonga gully. 

Meanwhile, collapse debris were deposited to 4,000 meters from the crater along the Basud channel, PHIVOLCS said.

From 5 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday, five pyroclastic density currents (PDC) were recorded. These were due to dome-collapse. 

The Mayon Volcano Network also recorded 362 rockfall events and 39 volcanic earthquakes.

Meanwhile, the sulfur dioxide emission registered 2,132 tonnes on Friday, higher than the 1,582 tonnes of sulfur dioxide recorded on Wednesday.

PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 3 is still in effect over Mayon Volcano, adding that "it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days could still be possible."

It reiterated its recommendation to keep the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) be kept off-limits due to the threat of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

"Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised," PHIVOLCS said.

The agency said lahar deposited in channels and sediment-laden streamflows could be generated by heavy rainfall.

PHIVOLCS also reminded civil aviation authorities of the need to advise pilots not to fly close to the volcano's summit as doing so may be hazardous to aircraft.

Ash fall may also occur on the south side of Mayon Volcano, PHIVOLCS said, basing its observation on the current prevailing wind pattern. —KG, GMA Integrated News