Mayon stays at Alert Level 2

The Alert Level 2 (increased unrest) status remains in effect over Mayon volcano as moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes continues, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

In an advisory on Saturday, Phivolcs said it has not detected any volcanic tremor in the past 24 hours, but the volcanic plumes moving downward before drifting to the west-southwest and west was observed.

"The public is reminded that there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption," it added.

The Mayon's sulfur dioxide emission was last measured on 1 October at an average of 391 tons daily.

Phivolcs said the Mayon volcano's edifice has been slightly inflated since 2020—"based on ground deformation parameters from EDM (electronic distance meter), Precise Leveling, electronic tilt and continuous GPS monitoring."

The agency noted that seismic activity of the Mayon was at baseline levels for most of this year.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said he has been coordinating with the agencies such as Phivolcs, National National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and the local government units to ensure the country's readiness amid the Mayon's increasing unrest.

"We continue to coordinate with Phivolcs, NDRRMC, LGUs, and other concerned government agencies to ensure our readiness to respond to the situation," he said in a Twitter post, advising the public to stay safe and alert.

Worst-case scenario

Marcos noted the government is ready for the possible worst-case scenario.

Phivolcs reminded the public that entering into a six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is not allowed to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides.

The use of a damp, clean cloth or dust mask is highly advised in case of ash fall events in the Mayon's crater occur.

Flying close to the volcano's summit is prohibited as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

On Saturday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued Notice to Airmen B3097/22 and B3086/22 effective 8 October, 2022 from 9 a.m. until 9 a.m. of 9 October, due to the Mayon Volcano's increasing unrest.

CAAP said with Mayon Volcano on Alert Level 2, flights have been prohibited from operating 10,000 feet from the surface and advised to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ash from the sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

An ocular check of the summit during an airborne survey this morning confirmed the presence of recently extruded lava at the base of the summit lava dome, according to a warning from DoST-PHIVOLCS.