Albay braces for New Year eruption of Mount Mayon

It would be the mother of all fireworks. An eruption of Mayon Volcano looms for the New Year, as state volcanologists cited hot molten rocks nearing the crater and continuous lava flows. Anticipating an influx of tourists, the government has set up a viewing center in Legaspi City, even as thousands of residents expect to remain in evacuations centers throughout the holidays. , said hot molten rocks have started making their way to the volcano’s crater. “Yung nakikita naming time frame sa maaaring pagsabog ay Bagong Taon o immediately after the New Year, mga dalawang linggo mula ngayon (The time frame we see indicates the volcano may erupt on New Year’s Day or immediately after that. The eruption may come in two weeks)," said July Sabit, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Bicol monitoring chief, in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the sulfur dioxide emissions had gone up to 7,000 tons daily from about 2,000 tons as of last Saturday. Lava flows coming from the crater had reached 4.5 kilometers down the volcano’s slope, he added. “Ibig sabihin, maaring may fresh magma mula sa ilalim ng bulkan na umaakyat papunta sa bunganga. Kung ano ang magiging activity dulot nito, di pa namin matitiyak sa ngayon. Pero sigurado kaming tumitindi ang activity ng Mayon sa ngayon (This means fresh magma is climbing up the crater. We cannot describe for sure what the activity is all about, but we are certain that it is intensifying)," Sabit said. But the volcanic activity, he added, was still inadequate for Phivolcs to raise the present alert level from 3 to 4. It raised the alert level to 3 last December 16 after noting a sustained increase in volcanic activity in the past weeks.

See the complete table on the Phivolcs website.

On the other hand, Sabit said Mayon Volcano's activity was not yet as intense as that of Mt. Pinatubo in Central Luzon, when it erupted in 1991. Sabit noted that when Pinatubo erupted, its sulfur dioxide emission had reached more than 10,000 tons per day. He reminded tourists to watch the volcano from a safe distance, for instance at Ligñon Hill in Legazpi City where a facility has been set up for sightseers. 40 eruptions since 1616 Phivolcs’ website on Mayon eruptions said the volcano has had at least 40 eruptions since February 1616. The most destructive eruption occurred 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. — LBG/NPA, GMANews.TV