Mayon continues to quiet down
Paul Alanis, Phivolcs volcano monitoring division spokesman, said Mayon’s overall abnormal characteristics are within the parameters of Alert Level 3. He said this means “a decreased likelihood of hazardous explosive eruption.” Philstar.com/File Photo
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines —The downward trend in the abnormal activity of Mayon Volcano was sustained in the past 48 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday.
Paul Alanis, Phivolcs volcano monitoring division spokesman, said Mayon’s overall abnormal characteristics are within the parameters of Alert Level 3. He said this means “a decreased likelihood of hazardous explosive eruption.”
Alanis said the recorded explosions were mere “gas pockets,” as lava continued to be extruded from the crater and rolled down the gullies in Miisi in Daraga, Bonga-Buyuan in this city and Basud in Sto. Domingo.
“These gas pockets or small explosions accompanied by rumblings are to be expected as Mayon’s overall abnormal condition is now leading to a downward trend,” he said.
Mayon’s seismicity dropped to 18 volcanic earthquakes and 19 rockfalls yesterday, according to Phivolcs.
The volcano’s activity was characterized by “general quiescence, gravity-driven lava flow and degassing from the crater.”
Keep out of 6 kilometer danger zone
Meanwhile, tourists have been warned against entering the volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone.
Tourists should also take precautions while within the extended danger zone, Benjamin Santiago, Department of Tourism-Bicol director said, referring to the south-southwest, east-northeast sectors of Anoling, Camalig, Sta. Misericordia and Sto. Domingo towns in Albay.
“Tourist activities like but not limited to sightseeing, photoshoots, trekking, mountain climbing and ATV (all-terrain vehicle) tours within the said parameters are strictly prohibited,” Santiago said.
He said Alert Level 3 means that there is only a decreased tendency toward hazardous explosive eruption.
Santiago said there has been an increase in the number of tourists since Mayon erupted in January. He said tourists are flocking to areas where the volcano can be viewed even as the number of tourist activities declined.
He said some hotels also reported lower bookings due to cancelled flights. – With Catherine Talavera
- Latest
- Trending
