Phivolcs: Mayon spews more volcanic debris

MANILA, Philippines — Mayon Volcano continues to be restive as nine pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and 243 rockfall events were monitored in the past 24 hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said there were seven dome-collapse PDCs locally known as uson or an avalanche of volcanic ash and hot gases that lasted for one to four minutes. Two lava-front PDCs that generated 300-meter-high plumes were also monitored.

Collapsed debris was deposited around 4,000 meters from the crater.

Continuous moderate degassing from the summit crater produced plumes that rose 500 meters while sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 1,621 tons on Wednesday.

Phivolcs reiterated its warning of a possible hazardous eruption within weeks or days.

The agency recommended the evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone due to the threat of PDCs, lava flow, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards.

Mayon had spewed 7.3 million cubic meters of volcanic materials since last month, according to Phivolcs.

Paul Alanis, resident volcanologist at the Lignon Hill Observatory in Legazpi City, allayed fears that lava flow had spilled over the major gullies of the volcano.

“What they observe at night are the detached or collapsed debris from the oozing lava. These are not part of the lava flow. Lava flow remained confined in the Mi-isi and Bonga gullies,” he said.

EU aid

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) is allocating 50,000 euros or approximately P3 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to families affected by Mayon’s unrest.

The EU funding will support the Philippine Red Cross in the distribution of emergency shelter items, sleeping and hygiene kits as well as primary healthcare assistance.

The aid will also be used to increase access to clean water supplies and sanitation facilities.

The funding is part of EU’s contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. – Cet Dematera, Pia Lee-Brago