Crater glow seen on Mt. Mayon

LEGAZPI CITY — Crater glow has been observed at the summit of Mayon Volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday.

Resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta said instruments at the Lignon Hill Observatory observed the crater glow starting 10:19 p.m. Friday up to 5:29 a.m. yesterday.

Laguerta said there was an increase in the sulfur dioxide emission from 2,300 to 2,700 tons as well as the number of low frequency volcanic earthquakes from 15 to 40.

A whitish, moderate steaming was also observed drifting towards the west-south-west during the past observation period.

The alert level was raised to two Tuesday due to increased and sustained volcanic unrest. Laguerta said that if the present trend continues, Mayon Volcano could erupt in a matter of weeks.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) has called an emergency meeting at the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Camp Gen. Simeon Ola here Friday to assess disaster preparedness.

"We have to be prepared in case Mayon Volcano suddenly erupts," said OCD regional Director Renato Arevalo. — Celso Amo