Prolonged eruption phase for Mayon predicted

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines  — A prolonged eruption phase for the rumbling Mayon volcano could happen due to frequent ash explosions that is not culminating in a major explosion, a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismo-logy (Philvolcs) volcanologist predicted yesterday.

Alex Baloloy told The STAR that although Mayon has had numerous ash explosions, it is not proceeding to a more explosive phase.

In previous eruptions of Mayon, particularly from 1984 to 2006, it only took five to 10 incidents of ash explosion before it shifted to vulcanian or explosive eruption phase.

“But it’s really different this time. We already recorded over a thousand ash explosions since Dec.14 but still, we do not see the violent ones. Mayon is likely to have a prolonged eruption phase,” Baloloy said in an interview.

Philvolcs director Renato Solidum, however, said that although Mayon is displaying some new and different characteristics, particularly more ash explosions, strong rumblings and frequent tremors, adequate time is needed to determine if there would indeed be a longer episode.

“It is still early to conclude whether Mayon will have a prolonged eruption. Let’s observe for a few more days,” Solidum told The STAR.

Solidum yesterday said that more rocks fell from the volcano, with 230 incidents of rock fall events recorded.

In its latest bulletin, Philvolcs said Mayon “continued to exhibit a high level of activity during the past 24 hours’ observation period.” — With Marvin Sy, Evelyn Macairan, Jaime Laude and AFP.

“There were 33 ash explosions with dirty white to brownish ash columns that reached maximum heights of 1,000 meters above the summit,” Philvolcs said.

It also recorded 26 rumblings, two hissing and 406 volcanic earthquakes. “Flowing red hot lava and rolling incandescent lava fragments were continuously observed at Bonga, Padang and Miisi gullies. Sulfur dioxide emission rate remained high and was measured at an average of 8,993 tons per day (t/d) yesterday.”

The Phivolcs also maintained alert level 4 for the sixth day.

At this level, “hazardous eruption is possible within days. Thus, Phivolcs and theDepartment of Science and Technology (DOST) reiterated that the extended danger zone (EDZ) from the summit of eight kilometers on the southern sector of the volcano and seven kilometers on the northern sector of the volcano should be free from human activity.”

Ed Laguerta, head of the government’s volcanology team monitoring Mayon, also said the volcano is showing signs of becoming clogged with lava and this could lead to an eruption.

The volcano, which has been oozing lava for weeks, is also emitting gas and ash, all signs of a powerful eruption any day now, he said.

“The number of (volcanic) quakes have lessened but now the quakes are of a different variety. What is becoming clear is that it (the volcano) is getting clogged. That is when the lava is rising but cannot get out,” he said.

Additional emergency shelters put up

Meanwhile, Albay disaster manage-ment officials yesterday said they put up some 2,300 more tents or emergency shelters and 607 comfort rooms in the 28 evacuation camps for Mayon evacuees in anticipation of a prolonged explosion phase.

The emergency shelters are also aimed at decongesting the public school classrooms being occupied by 10,032 families or 47,560 persons evacuated from the 31 danger zones in Albay’s three cities and five towns.

The rapid assessment survey conducted by the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo) showed that the present condition of over 60 persons per classroom ratio has resulted in overcrowding and disease outbreak.

The officials said the temporary shelters would be used to reduce the occupancy to one-room per 10 families or 50 persons, and one comfort room for every 50 users.

The officials admitted that the need to put up temporary shelters turned more urgent due to the re-opening of classes on Jan. 4, which means that at least 232 classrooms have to be vacated for the students’ use.

Meanwhile, Army troops spread cheer at Christmas to thousands of children in different evacuations centers in Albay.

Capt. Razaleigh Bansawan of the 901st Infantry Brigade’s Task Force Mayon spokesman said that some 1,810 children enjoyed the presents that soldiers gave them.