Phivolcs: Mayon’s major eruption not imminent

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Three quakes were recorded around Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours, but the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has allayed fears of a major eruption.

“The lava dome is still concave and no additional material has yet been observed filling it,” Ed Laguerta, Mayon resident volcanologist, told a radio interview yesterday.

“Mayon has a lesser magnitude in terms of eruption compared to Mt. Pinatubo due to its different rock quality,” Laguerta added.

He said Pinatubo spewed around five billion cubic meters  of volcanic debris compared to Mayon’s eruption in 1814, which emitted 150 million cubic meters.

“Our seismic sensors have not yet detected juvenile magma going past the old magma deposit left by the 2014 effusive eruption,” said Laguerta.

Weak to moderate emission of white steam plumes that crept west-northwest and west-southwest was observed last night, but there was no crater glow.

Phivolcs raised Mayon’s alert level from zero to one last week, which means it is exhibiting abnormal condition.