Tremors, rumblings monitored in Mayon

MANILA, Philippines — Lava flow from Mayon Volcano in Albay has continued, with tremors that produced rumbling sounds, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday.

Paul Alanis, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Lignon Hill Observatory in Legazpi City, said the rumblings were heard as far as seven kilometers from the crater.

“We heard these rumblings in June... This means that fresh magma is continuously ascending to the surface of Mayon. Some of these magmatic materials are triggering lava sprays and ashing events,” Alanis told The STAR.

He said the abnormal parameters were not accompanied by pressure that could ignite an explosive eruption.

“But we are not saying a zero possibility of eruption. The possibility is still there, but only very low,” Alanis explained.

In the past 24 hours, Phivolcs recorded 42 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, an ashing event and 58 tremor events that lasted for 15 minutes. These are lower compared to the 62 volcanic quakes and 106 tremor events on Thursday.

Phivolcs said lava flows have advanced 3.4 kilometers while rockfalls have been deposited four kilometers from the crater.

Alanis said these are indications that Mayon’s abnormal parameters are fluctuating.

Phivolcs reiterated its warning against entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone, noting that Mayon remains under Alert Level 3 and hazardous eruption remains possible.