Mayon Volcano update 06 07 01

As of the 7th of June, the Philippines Volcanology Society (PHIVOLCS) has reported that the past 24 hours of seismic monitoring around Mayon Volcano revealed the occurrence of one hundred eighteen (118) episodes of high frequency short duration harmonic tremors (rockfall-related) and four (4) low frequency volcanic earthquakes.

The tremors were associated with the intermittent rolling of incandescent volcanic materials and numerous lava avalanches linked to detached fragments from the lava dome.

Crater glow was observed to be fair (Intensity II) between 7:43 PM last night to 4:30 AM this morning. Glow came from the sites of detachment of extruding pasty lava at the west base and southeast face of the lava dome.

The falling detached blocks tend to fragment and produce rolling incandescent boulders along Bonga Gully. Moderate emission of white steam was observed from the summit reaching a height of 500 meters before drifting to the west-northwest direction.

The overall status of Mayon Volcano stays at Alert Level 3, which means that should there be a rapid rate of supply of magma, a hazardous eruption may occur within weeks.

At present, Mayon Volcano is in a mild state of eruption as magma slowly intrudes the summit, subsequently pushing out recent and hot lavas. Accordingly, the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) treated as a high-risk area, must remain evacuated at all times because sudden explosions may occur without sufficient precursor. In addition, more voluminous avalanches may affect the southeast slope as the summit dome progressively becomes unstable. Another possibility is the detachment of a major chunk or portion of the dome which will likely result in a pyroclastic flow.

Residents around the volcano, particularly those staying in areas facing Bonga Gully and vicinity in the southeast sector, should always be vigilant and prepared to move out of their areas as soon as evacuation is advised or when life-threatening volcanic flows start to descend from the volcano’s summit.

The Mayon volcano is currently at Alert Level 3

-- PHO (owennos@bigfoot.com), June 07, 2001