Mayon shows increased abnormality anew

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — After several days of silence, Mayon Volcano in Albay again showed increased abnormal behavior during the weekend, logging at least 30 tremor events that lasted 92 seconds and accompanied by 34 volcanic earthquakes, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday.

Paul Alanis, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Lignon Hill Observatory in this city, said these revived abnormal parameters indicated that Mayon’s prevailing alert level should not be lowered yet.

“These recurring abnormal signs tell us that Mayon is still in a high level of unrest. There is no way for us to lower the volcano’s alert status from Level 3 to 2,” Alanis said.

Phivolcs is unfazed by reports about some people calling for the lowering of Mayon’s alert level amid supposed waning abnormal activities in the past few days.

“Mayon’s restive status is still within the alert Level 3 parameters. Sometimes these signs are increasing, but also at times decreasing. Meaning, its overall status is still in a high level of unrest,” Alanis said.

Phivolcs recorded 34 volcanic earthquakes, 30 tremor events with durations of one to 32 minutes, a pyroclastic density current (PDC) event, 105 rockfall events and 1,018 tons of sulfur dioxide emisions in the past 24 hours.

Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Mayon, which means the volcano is currently in a relatively high level of unrest, and hazardous eruption within weeks or days is possible.

“The six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone should remain unoccupied due to risks brought by PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards,” Phivolcs said.