Mayon Volcano's Rumbling Intensifies, Alarming Residents in Albay

VOLCANO WATCH The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology records “more energetic” Strombolian activity, producing grayish plume at the summit of the Mayon Volcano, as seen in this photo taken early Thursday at Barangay Cullat in Daraga, Albay. —John Michael Manjares/Contributor LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY, Philippines — Loud rumbling sounds caused by frequent Strombolian eruptions (moderate bursts of gases that eject clots of incandescent lava) from Mayon Volcano have alarmed residents living near the volcano, with some saying it has been disrupting their sleep. Nilda Lomibao-Enriquez, 48, of Barangay Anoling in Camalig town, said they usually hear sounds from the rocks rolling down the slopes, but since July 13, each activity has been accompanied by loud rumbling sounds. “The volcano seems to be taking deep breaths before each rumbling sound. And when it rumbles, you can see rocks falling down the slopes,” she said in a phone interview on Thursday. READ: Mayon Volcano’s effusive eruption continues for 192nd day Lomibao-Enriquez said they had already packed emergency bags in their car in case the eruptions become more explosive. Some of the residents inside the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) were evacuated in January when alert level 3 (high level of volcanic unrest) was raised by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Florie Lyn Albaredo, 48, said they always hear thunderstorm-like sounds from their house at Barangay Sta. Misericordia in Sto. Domingo town, some 8 km away from the volcano. READ: Phivolcs: Mayon Volcano spews fresh lava, ash on 192nd day of unrest “At night, we can hear it very loudly. Some of our cousins who live closer to the volcano have trouble sleeping because they get scared every time they hear the rumbling,” she said. She said it was only glowing before, but now it produces strong fire, and they can also hear rocks grinding against each other. According to Doreen Abelinde, officer in charge of Phivolcs Mayon Observatory, the rumbling sounds show that the magmatic activity of the volcano is elevated. “[It] may indicate that there are shallow magma movements at or near the surface of the volcano, such as weak explosions or Strombolian activity, vigorous degassing and lava effusion, lava fountaining events or rockfalls and pyroclastic density currents (PDC or fast-moving mixture of hot gas, ash and rock fragments cascading down from the volcano’s slope),” Abelinde told the Inquirer in a text message. On July 13, Phivolcs reported that Mayon had entered its peak phase, with Strombolian activity becoming intense. In its Thursday bulletin, Phivolcs recorded 168 volcanic earthquakes, including 13 volcanic tremors that lasted from a minute to 11 minutes. Around 293 rockfall events and 15 PDCs were also recorded, with lava reaching an approximate distance of 3.8 km in Basud gully, 3.2 km in Bonga gully and 2.1 km in Mi-isi gully. Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. said they have requested augmentation from the Philippine National Police to strengthen security and prevent residents from entering the 6-km PDZ. Baldo said residents will not be allowed to return to their homes or tend to their farms along Mayon’s slopes while the restrictions remain in place. Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 5, said additional personnel from the regional headquarters are on standby to reinforce security operations if volcanic activity further intensifies. /cb