Mayon Volcano showing signs of abnormality anew

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines - Mayon Volcano again showed signs of abnormality within the past 48 hours with two earthquakes, 15 rock fall incidents, sulfur emissions, and an inflated surface, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday.

“The data indicate the volcano may have been experiencing increased volcanic gas emission and slight but persistent swelling due to the intrusion of magma beneath,” Phivolcs said.

The agency said that under alert level two, these abnormal precursors could mean that “magma has most likely intruded at depth and the current conditions could eventually lead to a larger eruption.”

Phivolcs reiterated its advice for the public to remain alert and stay away from the six kilometer-radius permanent danger zone.

Citing accounts of Mayon’s previous explosions, Phivolcs Bicol chief volcanologist Ed Laguerta said the presence of a lava dome at the crater could be a prelude to another eruption.

“But we could not tell yet how soon, considering the prevailing abnormal activities of Mayon which are slow but sustained,” Laguerta told The STAR.

He said since the trajectory of Mayon’s explosions is vertical to its base, or follows a straight line, the magma channel is a straight line down to the magma chamber.

“This means new magma is always present down the channel. What it needs only is a pressure through degassing process to push the magma to the upper chamber then out to the crater,” Laguerta said.