Mayon Volcano Bulletin

05 September 2006

8:00 AM

In the past 24 hours, Mayon Volcano's  (13.2576^oN, 123.6856^oE) activity was dominated by continuous lava extrusion and spalling of lava fragments, which resulted in 455 tremor episodes.  The main and presently active lava flow continues to override the Mabinit lava flow deposit,  which was emplaced last July and early August.   Between 700 to 800 meters elevation,  portions of the front or toe of this lava flow splits and sheds lava fragments towards the general direction of  Buyoan channel.

No volcanic earthquake was detected during the past observation period.  The Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) flux of the volcanic plume also decreased to 1,447 tonnes per day (t/d) yesterday from the other day’s 2,961 t/d.  Weak to moderate volume of white to dirty-white steam clouds drifted west-southwest yesterday and early this morning.

The continuing lava flow and rockfall activity pose considerable threat to lowland areas in the southeast flanks of the volcano.  Potential hazards are pyroclastic flows which  could originate from the lava accumulation in the summit crater and upper slopes. PHIVOLCS, therefore, maintains  Alert Level 4 which means that the 8-kilometer radius Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) in the southeast should be strictly off-limits.  For other areas around the volcano, the presently enforced EDZ is 7 kilometers from the summit.