Mayon lava flow slows down

LEGAZPI CITY — Volcanologists said the lava flow of Mayon Volcano has slowed down, with an aerial survey showing the lava’s toe stopping at 6.8 kilometers from the crater.

But Lestie Saquillon, a science researcher of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), warned that the slowdown of lava extrusion, among other parameters, "is no guarantee yet or a solid basis to say that Mayon is already simmering down.

Saquillon said the volcano’s sulfur dioxide emission remained high, at 6,500 tons yesterday, while 15 volcanic quakes, indicating magma ascent, and 253 tremors were detected.

Although there were no explosions in the past 24 hours, Phivolcs, in a bulletin, said these parameters showed that Mayon "is still undergoing a high level of unrest."

Volcanologist Ed Laguerta, who led an aerial survey of the volcano yesterday, said Mayon’s lava extrusion has slowed down.

"The lava toe has totally stopped, eliminating the possibility of it moving even beyond the seven-kilometer danger zone that could threaten the baran—gays of Mabinit, Bonga and Matanog here and Matanog in Daraga town," he said.

Laguerta said they need a week or two to determine if Mayon’s overall unrest is waning. — With Celso Amo