Clouds of ash continue to spew from Mayon volcano, wreaking havoc on the Philippines island of Luzon.
Footage from June 16 shows ash billowing from the crater as well as rocks tumbling down the peak.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the region has recorded seven volcanic earthquakes and 309 rockfall events.
The video shows a close-up shot of Mayon volcano's crater as it continues show lava flow from Legazpi City, about 13 kilometers away.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) continues to maintain Alert Level 3 over the Mayon Volcano, signaling a relatively high level of unrest and a potentially hazardous eruption within weeks or even days.
In its June 15 bulletin, PHIVOLCS has documented two volcanic earthquakes and an alarming 306 rockfall events within a 24-hour period. A slow effusion of lava from the summit crater has led to the emplacement of lava flow and collapse debris on the Mi-isi and Bonga gullies, situated approximately a kilometer from the crater.
Three dome-collapse pyroclastic density currents (PDC), lasting between three to six minutes, were also detected. The volcano's summit continues to show moderate degassing, producing steam-laden plumes that rise up to 700m before drifting northwest. Observations also noted a fair crater glow, or "banaag" and incandescent rockfall from the fluidal lava at the Mayon's summit.
Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 193 tonnes per day on June 14, 2023. Notably, short-term observations from EDM and electronic tiltmeter monitoring indicate an inflation in the volcano's upper slopes since February 2023. Longer-term ground deformation parameters based on EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring suggest that Mayon Volcano is still in an inflated state, particularly on the northwest and southeast.
Consequently, PHIVOLCS recommends the evacuation of the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the increased risk of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards. The public is advised to exercise increased vigilance against PDCs, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice.
PHIVOLCS has also warned that heavy rainfall could trigger lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits are present. Civil aviation authorities have been urged to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit due to the potential hazard of ash from any sudden eruption.
In light of the current prevailing wind pattern, ash fall events are most likely to occur on the south side of the volcano, PHIVOLCS stated. The agency continues to closely monitor Mayon Volcano and will communicate any new developments to all concerned stakeholders.
