By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Oct. 12 (PNA) – A short and thick lava flow at the crater of Mayon Volcano in Albay province was spotted by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday morning after the agency conducted visual and aerial observations around the area at about 7 a.m.
”Visual and aerial observations this morning found a short and stubby lava flow approximately 350m in length, slowly and quietly flowing down the eastern side of Bonga Gully along the southeast slope of Mayon Volcano (13.2500°N, 123.6833°E).,” Phivolcs said in an advisory.
“The small number of volcanic earthquakes and rockfall events for the past few days suggest a sluggish movement of the lava flow, and slow extrusion of lava from the crater,” it added.
Philvocs also recorded four volcanic earthquakes and one rockfall events during the 24-hour observation of Mayon Volcano.
Ed Laguerta, resident volcanologist, said the lava flowed down on the eastern side of Mayon’s Bonga Gully. It was about 350 meters long.
Laguerta said the slow extrusion of the lava from the crater was due to the volcanic earthquakes and rockfall events during the past week.
He said Mayon remains under Alert Level 3, meaning a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within weeks.
The agency said the public should continue to avoid entering the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the seven-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank due to the continuing threat of rockfalls, landslides, and sudden explosions that may generate lava flow.
It is recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank be enforced due to the danger of rock falls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.
Phivolcs maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Council (NDRRMC) said the number of families evacuated from the communities near Mount Mayon in Albay has now reached 12,931 or 55,633 individuals affected in two cities and five municipalities of the province of Albay.
NDRRMC said the affected people were evacuated to 48 evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC said total cost of government assistance for the affected families has reached to Php 88,773,523.95 from the combined resources of the government agencies. (PNA)