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MANILA, Philippines — A new dark lava dome emerged at Mayon Volcano Thursday morning, January 8, as the volcano released lava and pyroclastic density currents that demonstrated the volcano’s rising unrest.
According to Phivolcs, pyroclastic density currents began descending the Miisi Gully and the southern upper slopes of Mayon Volcano at 11:40 a.m. Thursday, with gray smoke constantly billowing from the summit.
By that time, a total of 49 currents had been recorded moving through the Miisi, Bonga, and Basud gullies. These gullies are natural channels or steep grooves that run down the sides of the volcano, guiding lava and volcanic debris during eruptions.
At 6:51 a.m., a dome-collapse pyroclastic density current from Mayon's summit produced grayish ash clouds reaching 1,000 meters drifting west-northwest, affecting Legazpi City, Ligao City, Guinobatan, Bacacay, Camalig and barangays in Albay.
Phivolcs’ bulletin showed that over 24 hours on January 7, Mayon Volcano generated 162 rockfalls, 50 pyroclastic density currents and one volcanic earthquake. Sulfur dioxide emissions also reached 702 tonnes per day, with a plume rising 200 meters and moderate gas output.
Mayon Volcano’s alert level was raised to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday, January 6, after 346 rockfall events were recorded in less than a week, signaling an increased likelihood of hazardous eruptions.
The first escalation of Mayon Volcano’s alert level, from 1 to 2 on January 1, came in response to heightened magmatic activity and rockfalls.
State seismologists and local authorities have begun evacuating residents near the volcano, strictly enforcing the six-kilometer permanent danger zone and extended danger zone.
Phivolcs warned of potential hazards during Mayon's increasing unrest, including rockfalls, landslides, ballistic fragments, lava flows, lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, moderate-sized explosions and lahars amid heavy and prolonged rainfall.
Albay Provincial Police Director Colonel Noel Nuñez said on Thursday that over 500 personnel have been deployed in 16 border control points and 11 evacuation centers. He also said authorities are prepared should Phivolcs raise Mayon Volcano's alert level to Alert Level 4.
A total of 3,516 persons from 13 barangays are currently seeking shelter in evacuation centers, while two cities and municipalities have suspended classes, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported.
