Mayon Volcano logged 207 rockfalls, 27 PDCs in past 24 hours

Rockfall incidents and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) continued in Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Thursday

From 12 a.m. on Wednesday to 12 a.m. on Thursday, a total of 207 rockfall events have been recorded, which is lower compared to the 209 from Wednesday’s report. 

A total of 27 PDCs were also recorded, which is also lower than the 46 reported on Wednesday.

PDCs are mixtures of fragmented volcanic particles (pyroclastics), hot gases, and ashes that rush down the volcanic slopes or rapidly outward from a source vent at high speeds, PHIVOLCS said.

Mayon Volcano emitted 987 tonnes of sulfur dioxide gases on Wednesday, according to PHIVOLCS. This is lower than the 1,387 tonnes recorded in the previous report.

A moderate plume rose up to 800 meters above the crater of the volcano and drifted west-southwest and southwest.

A fair crater glow on the volcano was also visible to the naked eye and the volcano’s edifice was still inflated, according to PHIVOLCS.

Under Alert Level 3, the volcano shows an intensified unrest or magmatic unrest.

Authorities strictly prohibit entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) and warn against unnecessary activity in the extended danger zone (EDZ).

Flying any aircraft close to the volcano is also prohibited due to potential ash and ballistic hazards.

Mayon could generate rockfalls or landslides or avalanches; ballistic fragments; lava flows and lava fountaining; pyroclastic density currents; moderate-sized explosions; and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall.

A total of 4,144 people or 1,132 families in Albay were affected by Mayon Volcano's activity, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.

Of the total affected population, 4,095 people or 1,117 families were staying in evacuation centers while 46 individuals or 15 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 4,816 poultry and 3,067 livestock animals have been evacuated due to the threat of Mayon's activity.

Assistance worth P8,898,737 has been provided to the victims so far, according to the NDRRMC. —VAL, GMA Integrated News