Mayon Volcano Update

09 August 2006

6:00 PM

 An explosion was recorded at 2:07 PM today from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano (13.2576°N, 123.6856°E). However, the event was small in magnitude as no ash penetrated the cloud cover. Since 6:00 AM, only three (3) volcanic earthquakes occurred.

 A further and slight decrease was noted for today’s Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) measurement from the previous 7,829 tonnes per day t/d to 6,573 t/d.  These changes in activities of the volcano reflect a significant level of unrest of Mayon.

On the middle and lower slopes, lava fragments were seen tumbling down from Mabinit and Bonga lava flows deposits, indicating active lava supply from the crater.

These observations show that Mayon is undergoing a period of high unrest which has a high probability of evolving into hazardous explosive eruption. Whereas no explosion events were manifested in July, the ash ejections and explosion earthquakes suggest an increase in tempo of activity this August.

PHIVOLCS reiterates Alert Level 4 which means that a hazardous explosive eruption is likely. PHIVOLCS therefore reminds all concerned on the necessary safety precautions pertaining to the existing EXTENDED DANGER ZONE (EDZ), around the volcano. As before, areas adjacent to the EDZs should be prepared for evacuation in case explosive activity escalates.