Mayon restive again

LEGAZPI CITY - Government volcanologists yesterday said that Mayon volcano is showing signs of renewed restiveness.

Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs) science research specialist Alex Baloloy said the volcano "is slowly shifting to another form of hazardous activity" characterized by a present trend of mild explosions and ash puffs accompanied by pyroclastic flows.

The volcano recorded eight mild explosions on Sunday and one explosion yesterday, up from four on Saturday, an indication of growing activity.

Seismic instruments detected the explosions at 7:56 a.m., 8:10 a.m., 8:52 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 9:46 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:54 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Sunday. Another mild explosion was recorded 12:40 a.m. yesterday.

Volcanologists have already recorded 31 explosions at Mt. Mayon since July 14. — Celso Amo, AFP