Moderately explosive eruption occurs in Mayon

MANILA, Philippines — A moderately explosive eruption occurred at Mayon Volcano in Albay shortly before noon yesterday, producing a grayish ash plume that rose 3,000 meters above the crater, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The eruption, which occurred at 11:53 a.m., prompted state volcanologists to raise the volcano’s alert status to Level 3 for the second time this year.

Moderate winds carried the plume west-southwest, with ashfall expected in Camalig, Daraga and Guinobatan as well as neighboring areas.

Based on the current prevailing wind pattern, ashfall events could most likely occur on the south side of the volcano, Phivolcs said.

Albay Gov. Noel Rosal suspended classes to ensure public safety.

Under Alert Level 3 or increased tendency toward a hazardous eruption, Mayon is entering a phase of magmatic eruption, with increased chances of lava flows and hazardous pyroclastic density currents expected within days or weeks, Phivolcs said.

Mayon’s alert status was first raised to Level 2 on Jan. 1, and to Level 3 on Jan. 6 after the volcano’s abnormal activity escalated.

The alert status was downgraded to Level 2 on Aug. 5 after the volcanic activity slowed down.

Entry into the volcano’s six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone is prohibited due to pyroclastic materials and lava flows, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards.

Pilots have been advised to avoid flying close to Mayon as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. — Rudy Santos