Mayon Volcano emits high gas levels

Government volcanologists closely monitoring restive Mayon Volcano noted yesterday a high level of gas emission during the past 24-hour observation period.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), volcanologists detailed at several monitoring stations around Mayon Volcano reported a sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux reading of 2,756 tons per day, a rate very much higher than the baseline reading of 500 tons per day during the volcano’s repose period.

Earlier, Phivolcs told The STAR the high level of sulfur dioxide gas emission indicates that magma is still rising into Mayon’s volcanic system. Such activity is also indicated by the occurrence of low frequency short duration harmonic tremors.

Yesterday, Phivolcs reported four low frequency short duration harmonic tremors in addition to the three low frequency volcanic earthquakes during the past 24-hour observation period. Moderate steaming activity was also observed during the same monitoring period.

Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 remains raised at Mayon Volcano as its level of activity is still relatively higher than during its period of repose. As Mayon’s alert level remains at Alert Level 1, Phivolcs reiterates its advisory that the public must refrain from entering the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) around the volcano especially within the southeast sector where volcanic flows, falling and rolling debris may be produced from a possible explosion.

Phivolcs raised the alert level at Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 0 to Alert Level 1 on Oct. 30 when it showed continuous signs of restiveness after the occurrence of an ash explosion on Oct. 11.