Mayon’s activity in the past 24 hours was characterized by sporadic to near continuous lava fountaining, lava flow and degassing from the summit crater. Repeated lava fountaining from 5:57 AM to 1:46 PM and near continuous lava fountaining from 3:59 PM to present were recorded by the volcano seismic network. These were associated with generation of steam-laden ash plumes up to four hundred (400) meters high. The lava fountaining episodes were accompanied by rumbling sounds audible within 10 kilometers of the summit crater. Throughout the night, lava flows and consequent incandescent rockfalls were observed in the Miisi and Bonga-Buyuan channels.  Effused high volumes of incandescent lava flows have advanced to 3.2, 4.5 and approximately 3.0 kilometers down the Miisi, Bonga-Buyuan and Basud channels, respectively, from the summit crater.

A total of one hundred sixteen (116) volcanic earthquakes, most of which corresponded to lava fountaining events were recorded by Mayon's seismic monitoring network. Sulfur dioxide gas emission was measured at an average of 1,583 tonnes/day on 02 February 2018. Electronic tilt and continuous GPS measurements indicate a sustained swelling or inflation of the edifice since November and October 2017, consistent with pressurization by magmatic intrusion.

Alert Level 4 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano. The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and desist from entering the eight (8) kilometer-radius danger zone, and to be additionally vigilant against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden stream flows along channels draining the edifice. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.

DOST-PHIVOLCS