Mayon’s alert level lowered

LEGAZPI CITY — Volcanologists still cautioned local folk against venturing into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mayon Volcano even if the five-step alert level was lowered from three to two due to the overall decline in the volcano’s unrest.

Volcanologist Ed Laguerta said the permanent danger zone remains off-limits since sudden explosions are still possible, though already remote.

"Sudden explosions are still possible because Mayon Volcano’s condition has not yet totally returned to normal. But under alert level 2, the threat is less compared to alert level 3 or 4," he said.

Mayon’s lava extrusions stopped last Sunday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Mayon’s alert level was raised to three last July 14 after it started spewing lava, and was further raised to level 4 on Aug. 7 when it exploded nine times in a span of eight hours, which also prompted the evacuation of some 45,000 villagers living at the foot of the 2,462-meter high volcano.

After almost two months of incessant lava extrusions, Phivolcs lowered Mayon’s alert status to three on Sept. 9, and to two the other day.

Mayon’s crater glow, however, remained visible, especially at night.

Mayon last erupted on Feb. 28, 2000, extending until July 2001, characterized by pyroclastic flows and strong explosions that generated pyroclastic materials and ashfalls. — With Celso Amo