In the past 24-hour period, the Mayon Volcano Network recorded seventy (70) volcanic earthquakes including sixty-five (65) tremor events having a duration of 2 minutes to 4 hours and 31 minutes, one (1) pyroclastic density current event, and fifty-one (51) rockfall events. The lava flows have maintained their advances to approximately 3.4 kilometers in Bonga (southeastern), 2.8 kilometers in Mi-isi (south), and 1.1 kilometers in Basud (eastern) Gullies. Rockfalls and PDCs generated by the collapse of the summit dome deposited debris still within four (4) kilometers of the crater. Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 727 tonnes/day on 21 October 2023. Short-term observations from electronic tilt and GPS monitoring indicate inflation of the northwestern upper and middle slopes since late July 2023 and October 2023, respectively. Longer-term ground deformation parameters from EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still generally inflated relative to baseline levels.
Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest, and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days could still be possible. It is therefore recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remain evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards. Increased vigilance against PDCs, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised. Heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits were emplaced. 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. Based on the current prevailing wind pattern, ash fall events may most likely occur on the south side of the volcano. DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.
DOST-PHIVOLCS
