Mayon tremors continue

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines —Volcanic tremors that lasted for more than an hour were monitored from Mayon Volcano in the past four days, indicating that fresh magma is ascending to the crater, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday.

Paul Alanis, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Lignon Hill Observatory in this city, said Mayon remains in a high level of unrest despite fluctuations in its abnormal parameters in the past weeks.

“The incessant lava flow indicates that fresh magma is being pushed to the surface through this continuing degassing activities inside Mayon,” Alanis said.

Phivolcs recorded 77 volcanic earthquakes, 98 tremors, six pyroclastic density currents, 508 rockfall events and 4,498 tons of sulfur dioxide emission in the past four days.

“These figures are still high compared to the baseline values. The numbers tell us that Mayon is still in a high level of abnormality,” Alanis said.

He said lava flow and other volcanic materials were continuously accumulating in major gullies and channels of Mayon.

Phivolcs said civil aviation authorities should advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

“Based on the current prevailing wind pattern, ashfall events may most likely occur on the southern portion of the volcano,” the agency said.