Magma building up on Mayon’s crater – Phivolcs

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Millions of cubic meters of magma have built up inside Mayon Volcano’s chamber, signalling near eruption.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said yesterday Mayon’s alert status remained at Level 3, which means that magma is at the crater, and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said for every year that Mayon does not erupt, a certain volume of magma builds up inside the chamber.

He explained that since the eruption in 2009 was preceded by the eruption in 2006, and considering the five-year interval between the current year and 2009, “it is possible that the volume (of magma) can be larger than the 2009 eruption based at least on the modeling that Phivolcs conducted on the ground deformation survey gathered.”

Solidum recounted that a large volume of magma, roughly 80 million cubic meters, triggered the strong 1984 eruption, which blew up the crater wall at the southeast sector of Mayon.

Seismic networks around the volcano recorded two volcanic quakes and four rockfall events related to magma movement in the past 24 hours. Sulfur gas flux was measured at an average of 1,265 tons per day on Sept. 27.

 “There seems to be a lull at the summit of the volcano due to additional lava oozing out the crater,” Solidum said. “But we also need to remind people because the magma is already there at the summit and ground water or rain water can be converted to steam and if not released and is blocked, an explosion can happen.” Once this starts, the magmatic eruption may proceed continuously.

“We don’t want people to take for granted the seeming lull activity of Mayon. There are already many examples of Mayon suddenly exploding and there is always a possibility of a hazardous explosion,” he added.

Mayon evacuation may last 3 months

Meanwhile, assistance for Mayon evacuees keeps pouring in, but Albay’s needs continue to pile up as evacuation is seen to last three months or more.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda called on local and foreign donors to provide an “uninterrupted and continuous lifeline while the evacuees are tucked out of harm’s way for a zero casualty goal.”

As of last week, evacuees’ count reached 11,255 displaced families or about 52,000 persons.

‘Their pressing needs include food, medicines and sanitation items. There is also the need to resume classes for children of displaced families,” Salceda said.

The UNICEF delivered last week 155 tents for 38 schools used as evacuation centers in five towns and two cities of the province.

The World Food Program has pledged to release about 13,000 bags of rice good for about 12 days.

Last week, President Aquino ordered the immediate release of calamity assistance reaching about P39 million, P29 million of which is for the procurement of 17-day supply of rice through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.