Mayon Volcano's Sulfur Dioxide Emissions Surge, Raising Concerns of Increased Eruptive Activity

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Friday recorded a significant increase in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions at Mayon Volcano in Albay. In an advisory, Phivolcs said the volcanic SO2 flux on Thursday averaged 4,569 tonnes per day and increased to 7,475 tons per day on Friday, the highest emission from Mayon recorded in the last 16 years. The SO2 flux from the start of the eruption on Jan. 6 until present averages 2,300 tonnes per day. “Rising volcanic SO2 emissions likely forewarn of further eruptive activity at the summit crater and continued generation of volcanic hazards, the impacts of which can be worsened by the prevailing poor weather conditions over the volcano,” Phivolcs said in an advisory. Despite the sharp increase in gas emissions, Phivolcs noted a decline in rockfall events and pyroclastic density current activity, which indicates reduced lava effusion from the summit crater. The volcano remains under alert level 3, or eruptive unrest. Phivolcs reminded the public to stay out of the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone. Pilots were advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit. /gsg