Phivolcs warn Mayon climbers of rockfalls
LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines – Volcanologists have again warned local and foreign tourists against venturing into the slopes of Mayon volcano in Albay due to rockfalls in the past days.
Alex Baloloy, resident volcanologist here of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said at least five rockfall-triggered tremors daily have been recorded in the past days, which could endanger climbers going to the volcano’s upper slopes.
“We would like to reiterate our warning to those climbers as well as tourist guides not to get near the upper slopes because falling rocks could just hit them at great force and velocity unexpectedly,” Baloloy said.
The renewed warning was issued at least five months after Mayon’s alert level was reduced to 1 out of a five-scale system. Last December though, the volcano showed signs of restiveness that forced over 10,000 families to evacuate.
Although Mayon now has a more visible crater glow, Baloloy said alert level 1 stays in the absence of other signs of abnormal behavior.
Residents at Mayon’s foothills confirmed that hundreds of local and foreign tourists have been trekking to the volcano after authorities removed checkpoints and lowered the alert level to 1.
Baloloy said the safest and nearest viewing site of Mayon’s crater glow is the Mayon Resthouse in Barangay Buang, Tabaco City.
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