24 volcanic earthquakes, 364 rockfalls recorded at Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano in Albay had 24 volcanic earthquakes and 364 rockfalls on Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Saturday.

This number included nine volcanic tremors lasting 4 to 33 minutes long, it said in its bulletin.

The volcano, which is on Alert Level 3 (Intensified Unrest/Magmatic Unrest), also had two minor strombolian activity on Friday.

A crater glow could be seen with the naked eye, PHIVOLCS said.

A total of 2,181 tonnes of sulfur dioxide was emitted by Mayon Volcano on Friday.

Moderate plumes were seen rising out of the crater then drifting in the west-southwest direction.

PHIVOLCS reiterated that entry into the six-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) should not be allowed.

Likewise, flying aircraft close to the volcano should be prohibited.

Mayon Volcano poses possible hazards such as the following, according to PHIVOLCS:

• 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.

PHIVOLCS raised the alert level at Mayon Volcano from Level 2 to Level 3 on January 6 this year after the volcano exhibited signs of high level of unrest. —KG, GMA News