Mayon Volcano Bulletin

08 September 2006

8:00 AM

In the past 24 hours, some 26 volcanic earthquakes and 333 tremors episodes were detected. The Sulfur Dioxide emission rate from the crater was estimated at 1,841 tonnes per day with plume drifts varying from northwest to northeast. Continuing ground deformation measurements indicated an overall deflation of the edifice.

The foregoing observations generally show an elevated state of unrest, although a few parameters, such as the state of ground swelling and absence of explosions in the past days, may indicate a slowdown in activity. PHIVOLCS is presently undertaking an assessment on the possibility of lowering the alert status of Mayon and results of this evaluation shall be presented as soon as possible.

 In the meantime, PHIVOLCS maintains Alert Level 4, which means that the 8-kilometer radius Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) be observed by the public for the southeast portion of the volcano. At other areas, the EDZ is defined to be 7 kilometers from the summit. It is important to remain vigilant because even a small explosion, if caused by a brief outburst from the summit crater, could generate life-threatening pyroclastic flows. In the southeast, caution is also advised against approaching the still-hot lava deposits whose slopes remain unstable at this stage.