Mayon Volcano (File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday raised Mayon Volcano's alert level from Level 1 (abnormal) to Level 2 (increased unrest) due to increased rockfall.
In an advisory, Phivolcs said that from an average of five rockfall events per day, the frequency has increased to 49 from 5 a.m. of June 4 to 5 a.m. the next day.
A total of 318 rockfall events and 26 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded since April 1, Phivolcs said.
The lava dome has increased in volume by approximately 83,000 cubic meters since Feb. 23, and a total of nearly 164,000 cubic meters since Aug. 20, 2022.
Meanwhile, the highest sulfur dioxide emission was 576 tonnes last April 29, and the last measurement averaged 162 tonnes last May 23.
"These low-level volcanic earthquakes, ground deformation, and volcanic gas parameters are overshadowed by recent steep increases in rockfall events which may possibly lead to further dome activity," the advisory read.
Under Alert Level 2, the current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes could lead to phreatic eruptions or precede hazardous magmatic eruption.
The public is advised to be vigilant and refrain from entering the 6 km radius permanent danger zone to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides.
In case of ash fall that may affect communities downwind of Mayon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask.
Aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, Phivolcs said. (PNA)
