Mayon Volcano Bulletin

02 August 2006

9:00 AM

Clear water at Mayon Volcano (13.2576°N, 123.6856°E) last night and this morning revealed continued flow and active shedding of lavas from the summit.  The main lava flow maintained its general course though Mabinit channel, an has advanced some 70 meters in 24 hours.  It is now almost at the sic (6) kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone boundary, 5.9 kilometers from the crater.

Voluminous steam was emitted by the crater and this was accompanied by elevated outputs of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) at 7,050 tonnes per day.  Fine ash and gases are also being produced by large lava blocks breaking on impact.  As a result, more than 450 tremor episodes were recorded due to continuous tumbling of lava blocks into gullies in the southern portion of the summit.  The number of earthquakes generated inside the volcano was slightly higher at 16 events, which generally reflected ongoing intrusion and ascent of magma towards the crater.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Mayon, which means that the six (6) kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) should be off-limits.  As the lava flow reaches the PDZ boundary in the southeast, PHIVOLCS recommends everyone to keep a safe distance because sudden collapse of the front and sides of the advancing flow deposit may produce some pyroclastic  avalanches which could engulf areas well beyond the lava flow’s edge.  At this stage, the lava flow is still at some distance from Barangays Mabinit and Bonga.  However, as the flow consumes surrounding vegetation a fire hazard may be generated, amplified by surface-winds.  Thus, PHIVOLCS reminds the public to be also aware of potential spread of fire in the upper reaches of Mabinit and Bonga, in addition to hazards associated with explosions from the summit.  Residents of Barangays Mabinit, Miisi, Bonga, Matanag and Buyoan are therefore advised to be alert and to be prepared for evacuation if activity escalates.