Mayon Volcano continues to display unrest

MANILA, Philippines — Mayon Volcano has maintained a state of high unrest, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday, raising concerns about the potential for a hazardous eruption in the coming weeks or even days.

State volcanologists has kept Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 3.

"In its current state, the volcano exhibits a relatively high level of unrest, with magma present at the crater and the potential for a hazardous eruption within weeks or even days," Phivolcs said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

The agency reported that the effusion of lava from the summit crater has been continuing at a slow pace, resulting in the formation of lava flows and the deposition of collapse debris in the Mi-si and Bonga gullies.

Phivolcs documented one dome-collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC), 308 rockfall events, two volcanic quakes, and an average emission of sulfur dioxide amounting to 744 metric tons on Friday.

This unrest could persist for at least three months, according to state volcanologists.

"Considering the potential hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic phenomena, it is highly recommended to evacuate the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone," Phivolcs said.

"Increased vigilance against lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the volcano's slopes is also advised," it added.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from the permanent danger zone (PDZ) due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards.