Mayon’s lava dome growing

LEGAZPI CITY — Government volcanologists reported yesterday that the "lava dome" in the crater of Mayon Volcano is growing, as magma continues to ascend to the summit, an indication that an eruption is fast approaching.

The increase in the size of the lava dome — 90 meters wide and 50 meters tall, based on the latest aerial survey — comes alongside more earthquakes, high sulfur emissions and more ash ejections, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

"In fact, part of the lava dome is already protruding above the crater, that’s why heavy escape of hot gases is now taking place, resulting in more ash puffs from time to time," said Ernesto Corpuz, Phivolcs’ volcano monitoring division chief.

In the past 24 hours, 27 volcanic earthquakes were recorded around the volcano.

Phivolcs has imposed alert level 3 at Mayon, and warned villagers against venturing inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone.

Acting Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita flew here yesterday to finalize plans to evacuate more than 20,000 villagers in case the seething volcano erupts.

"We want to assure the people that the national government is aware of what is going on here," said Ermita, who concurrently chairs the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

Phivolcs director Raymundo Punongbayan said Mayon’s eruption in February last year has resulted in changes in the volcano’s crater and contour, which may bring about new lahar channels.

Punongbayan found it impractical to desilt gullies and rivers around Mayon because future eruptions will clog them with lahar anyway.

"We have to think of a more lasting solution to this problem," he said.

If Phivolcs has its way, Punongbayan said they will recommend a permanent relocation of those residing within the six-kilometer danger zone.

He requested Ermita for an in-depth study on how to contain volcanic materials.

Mayon has a history of deadly eruptions. The worst, in 1814, killed 1,200 people and buried the town of Cagsawa.

Mayon towers 2,460 meters and is one of 22 active volcanoes in the country. — Felix de los Santos, Celso Amo and Cet Dematera