8 September 2016 - A PHIVOLCS-DOST update on Mayon Volcano's abnormal behavior has raised the alert level from 0 last February 12 to alert level 1 recently. PHILVOCS (Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology), the country's national institution that studies and analyzes geotectonic events has closely monitored Mayon Volcano's activity.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Mayon Volcano is situated in Albay, and communities in close proxmity to the volcano are warned to move away to a safe distance from the landmark.
People are prohibited to enter the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ around the volcano. This is to keep them away from the unexpected avalanches, rockfalls, ash puffs, and sudden phreatic eruption that may occur without any notice.
According to Eduardo Laguerta, PHILVOCS resident volcanologist, "Phreatic explosion may happen anytime but a big explosion is expected in the coming days." Retaining its claim as the most active volcano in the Philippines, Mayon has already erupted 48 times in total, with its latest eruption last September 18, 2014 and now, follows the pattern on its possible 49th eruption.
ALERT LEVELS: Having been raised to alert level 1, these are the changes that vulcanologists have noticed:
- Increase in baseline level of sulfur dioxide emission (SO2) flux to exceeding 1,000 tonnes/day from 500 tonnes per day since July 2016.
- Leveling and distance in terms of ground deformation continues to inflate from July 2016 to August 2016.
- From August 3 to August 6, there were 146 earthquakes noted 10 kilometers away from the volcano which can be attributed to volcanic activity.
In the Phivolcs Alert Level Chart, the interpretation of the current given level is "no eruption imminent", although a phreatic eruption or ash puffs may happen. Close monitoring is ongoing due to its inconsistent behavior from alert status of 2 to 0 then now, 1.
PHIVOLCS EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE: To prevent the loss of thousands of lives again, being pro-, re- and post-active is key to avoid disaster. People are also advised to avoid panicking and remain calm should an eruption occur.
