Mayon Volcano Continues Lava Effusion for 178th Day, Alert Level 3 Maintained

MANILA, Philippines — Lava effusion from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano in Albay was recorded for the 178th consecutive day on Wednesday as the volcano remained under Alert Level 3, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. According to Phivolcs, camera footage recorded the event between 12:17 p.m. and 12:31 p.m. “Effusive eruption at Mayon Volcano continues for the 178th consecutive day, generating incandescent lava flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDC) or “uson,” and rockfalls,” Phivolcs said in a Facebook post. READ: Mayon continues effusive eruption Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol earlier explained that PDCs are dangerous as they are an avalanche of a mixture of ashes, rocks, and gases and can quickly flow from the crater as fast as 100 kilometers per hour. Meanwhile, the 24-hour monitoring bulletin of the bureau indicated that the volcano logged five volcanic earthquakes, including one volcanic tremor that lasted for 25 minutes, 197 rockfall events, and one PDC signal. The crater glow remained visible to the naked eye. The volcano also released 2,321 tons of sulfur dioxide on Tuesday, which was more than the 1,593 tons emitted a day before. The volcano also generated a 300-meter plume above the crater which drifted northwestward and north-northeastward. As the volcano remained under Alert Level 3, which signifies intensified unrest, Phivolcs still prohibited the entry into the six-kilometer radius or permanent danger zone and flying of any aircraft close to the volcano. It also reminded nearby residents of possible hazards such as: rockfalls, ballistic fragments, lava flows, PDCs, moderate-sized explosions, and lahars. /mr