Mayon restless again

Famed Mayon Volcano emitted steam and plumes Friday morning as state seismologists warned the public to be cautious even if it remains at a moderate level of unrest.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Mayon Volcano remains under alert level 2.

Phivolcs said two of the earthquakes were related to phreatic eruption events that occurred at 8:11 a.m. on Thursday and 6:27 a.m. on Friday.

“These phreatic events generated 500 and 300-meter high grayish ash plume from the summit before drifting southwest, respectively,” it said.

It also said there is a fair crater glow that could be observed on the summit of the world-famous volcano at night.

The agency also recommended the banning of entry by anybody into the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone around the volcano.

It also called on authorities to implement a seven-kilometer extended danger zone from Anoling and Camalig to Sta. Misericordia and Sto. Domingo towns.

Phivolcs reminded the public that sudden explosions, lava collapses, pyroclastic density currents and ashfall can still occur and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes of Mayon.

Mayon’s last volcanic activity was tallied last December 2018 when a total of six volcanic earthquakes and two rockfall events were recorded.