LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 14 (PNA) — Mayon’s rapid mood changes are unpredictable, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta said Tuesday.
“The problem with Mayon is its rapid mood changes, which can happen anytime like what it did on Sunday during the visit of President Aquino’s six Cabinet members,” Laguerta said.
He said there are activities of the volcano that are not registered in their seismograph like the lava flow that occurred on Sunday, which snaked its way down to about 350 meters from the volcano’s summit.
This was accompanied by a thick plume.
One activity the Phivolcs is monitoring, Laguerta said, is the new steaming coming from the dome at the western side.
“Lava might flow from this side,” he said.
If this new magma goes nearer to the crater, this is an indication that eruption is nearing, the Phivolcs official added.
If this happens, there will be continuous harmonic tremors or vibrations of the ground — and this will be recorded in their seismograph.
Laguerta said Sunday’s lava flow was part of the old volcanic material deposits because it was viscous.
The new magma that will come out will be continuous.
He said the new magma did not flow out in the Sunday episode because the force underneath was not yet strong enough to push the magma that could cause a big bang.
Laguerta stressed that the fresh magma is explosive because of its many gas components.
He underscored the importance of close monitoring of Mayon because of its unpredictable behavior. (PNA)