Lava flow, rockfalls continue at Mayon

MANILA, Philippines — Continuous lava flow and 308 rockfall events were observed in the past 24 hours as Mayon Volcano continued with its intensified unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismoloigy (Phivolcs) said ”very slow effusion of lava” was observed from the summit crater along the Mi-isi or south and Bonga or southeastern gullies.

The lava flow advanced to around 1,800 to 2,500 meters while collapse debris reached 3,300 meters from the crater.

Aside from two volcanic quakes, a dome-collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC) that lasted three minutes were recorded.

Phivolcs said sulfur dioxide emission averaged 744 tons per day while continuous moderate degassing from the crater produced steam-laden plumes that reached 600 meters.

Phivolcs warned the public of a possible hazardous eruption within weeks or days due to the relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater.

Mayon remains under Alert Level 3.

Phivolcs said evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone should be implemented due to the danger of PDC, lava flow, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards.

Residents have been urged to exercise vigilance against lahar and sediment-laden streamflows in channels following heavy rain.

2 more evacuees catch COVID

Meanwhile, three evacuees are being treated for COVID after two others tested positive for the virus, the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) reported yesterday.

Eugene Escobar, APSEMO officer-in-charge, said the patients came from an evacuation center at the Gabawan Elementary School in Daraga.

“Our health team detected only one case last Thursday. But two more persons... were confirmed positive for COVID,” Escobar told The STAR.

He said several people in the classroom where the infected evacuees stayed are being observed and isolated at the Don Alfonso Bichara Infirmary in Barangay Anislag.

“Since the first day... we detailed health teams at the evacuation centers to ensure the health and safety of our evacuees. This is a protocol that we have long been observing in Albay,” Escobar said.

The Department of Health Bicol Center for Health and Development as well as Albay provincial and local health offices said disease monitoring and surveillance in evacuation centers would be intensified to prevent the spread of COVID.

Health authorities reminded the public to continue to observe minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and physical distancing in crowded areas.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said Mayon’s volcanic activity may persist for a few months since the volcano is not exhibiting signs of a hazardous eruption.