Mayon’s lava avalanches getting more frequent

LEGAZPI CITY — Despite its continuous "mild state of eruption," Mayon Volcano spewed out hot lava more frequently during the past 24-hour monitoring period than in previous days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Major lava avalanches were observed at least twice on Sunday and seven times until 4 a.m. yesterday. Crater glow has been observed 24 hours a day since last week.

Volcanologist Alex Baloloy said more frequent lava avalanches could be attributed to the continuing ascent of fresh magma and the collapse of the lava dome.

"The significant changes in the present abnormal activities of Mayon were the (more frequent) lava avalanches and the sustained crater glow," he said.

Baloloy believes that Mayon’s mild state of eruption will continue for several days or even weeks unless a stronger gas-triggered pressure speeds up the ascent of magma. — With Celso Amo, Felix de los Santos