In the past 24-hour period, the Mayon Volcano Network recorded seventy-four (74) rockfall events based on seismic and visual observations. These events lasted 1-4 minutes and emplaced lava debris on the southern gullies within a kilometer from the summit crater. Thin brownish-gray ash from the rockfalls also drifted to the general southwest. Continuous moderate degassing from the summit crater produced steam-laden plumes that were bent and drifted to the west-southwest. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was last measured at an average of 208 tonnes/day on 05 June 2023. Short-term observations from EDM and electronic tiltmeter monitoring show the upper slopes to be inflating since February 2023. Longer-term ground deformation parameters based on EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still inflated, especially on the northwest and southeast.
Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest) prevails over Mayon Volcano. The public is reminded that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruptions. Entry into the six (6) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be strictly prohibited to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfalls, and landslides. In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Mayon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth, or dust mask. 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
