This is to notify the public and concerned authorities on the current activity of Mayon Volcano.
Since the end of magmatic eruption in March 2018, Mayon Volcano has exhibited declining earthquake activity and SO2 emission; however, a slight swelling or inflation of the edifice began in February 2019 based on continuous GPS and electronic tilt monitoring. These observations indicate that Mayon’s recent behavior has been mainly driven by changes occurring within magma already emplaced beneath the edifice rather than by renewed magma intrusion events. In the past two days, crater glow has been detected at the summit crater that is likely caused by hot magmatic gases heating the overlying atmosphere. This suggests the possibility that remnant magma may be quietly rising to the shallow levels of the edifice.
DOST-PHIVOLCS reiterates that Alert Level 2 still currently prevails over Mayon because the volcano is still at a moderate level of unrest. It is therefore strongly recommended that entry into the six kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ and a precautionary seven kilometer-radius Extended Danger Zone or EDZ in the south-southwest to east-northeast sector, stretching from Anoling, Camalig to Sta. Misericordia, Sto. Domingo, should be strictly prohibited. The public is reminded that sudden explosions, lava collapse, pyroclastic density currents or PDCs and ashfall can occur without warning and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes of Mayon. People residing close to these danger areas are also advised to observe precautions against rockfalls, PDCs and ashfall. Active stream/river channels and those identified as perennially lahar-prone areas on all sectors of the volcano should also be avoided especially during extreme weather conditions when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and PDCs may pose hazards to aircraft.
DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s condition and any new development will be relayed to all concerned.
DOST-PHIVOLCS
