Mayon Volcano showing signs of abnormality

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines   â€“ Officials of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council in Albay are monitoring Mayon Volcano as it shows signs of abnormality.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the present indicators show the volcano is within alert level one.

As someone who had witnessed the pattern of Mayon eruptions over the years, Salceda said the volcano’s abnormality is going to intensify in the coming months.

“We are prepared and when the threat warrants an evacuation, we have hired an engineer to ensure the evacuation centers are safe and comfortable,” Salceda said.

He said once Mayon intensifies, it would only be what he described as a “touristic eruption.”

Mayon volcano’s eruption in 2010 was characterized as silent, as a large volume of lava only flowed from the summit.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded one volcanic quake within 24 hours of monitoring.

Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist based at Ligñon Hill Observatory, said the crater glow monitoring on Mayon is not clear yet.

“The crater glow using binoculars or telescope is not definitely recognizable,” Laguerta said in a text message to The STAR.

Crater glow was not observed Saturday night. He said the Phivolcs still relies on telescope or binoculars in monitoring the intensity of the crater glow of Mayon Volcano.

Other indicators were also observed such as moderate emission of white steam plumes and sulfur gas emission was measured at an average of 171 tons per day since June 5.

Although no magmatic eruption is imminent, officials advised the public to observe the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone, as rockfalls, landslides, avalanches and ash puffs might occur.

Streams and river channels and those identified as lahar-prone areas should also be avoided, especially during extreme weather conditions.