Mayon remains restive

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Mayon volcano remains restive, with at least 13 volcanic earthquakes detected yesterday, accompanied by moderate steaming, inflated ground, and intensity 2 crater glow.

Ed Laguerta, resident volcanologist here of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said additional equipment to measure the volume of sulfur dioxide emission and the bulging of Mayon’s slope will be installed starting today to ensure more precise monitoring of the volcano’s abnormal indicators. 

At present, there is no instrument to measure the volume of sulfur dioxide emission, which indicates the status of degassing, or pressure build-up of magma inside the volcano, Laguerta said.

Additional electronic distance meters, which detects the slope’s bulging, will also be set up.

“The data to be gathered by these gadgets will be very helpful in coming up with more accurate assessment of the condition of Mayon volcano whose abnormal status has remained sustained for several days already,” he said.