PHIVOLCS: 'Magmatic' Mayon eruption possible soon
Unlike the phreatic or ash explosion that happened in 2013, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned the public of the possibility that ‘magmatic’ eruption may happen this time around.
"The possibility to continue for magmatic eruption is possible. We cannot discount the possibility of big explosion," said Philvolcs resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta.
Their latest findings are that there is an increase of sulfur dioxide emission from the Mayon crater and also beyond the baseline level of 500 tonnes per day exceeding 1,000 tonnes per day in some days since July 2016.
Besides, a ground deformation and tilt measurements shows continuous inflationary trend since July 2016. The Results of Precise leveling and electronic distance surveys on the last week of August 2016 of indicate inflation; possibly due to the movement of magma at depth.
A total of 146 earthquakes were also recorded by Mayon Observatory seismic network from August 3-6 on the southeast side, 10 kilometers away from the volcano. This earthquake swarm from rock-fracturing processes that may or may not be associated with magmatic activity.
He also cited the 3 consecutive earthquakes happened at Sto. Domingo fault line last August, which can also affect the activity of the volcano. They recorded 146 earthquakes for 3 days.
“Yung earthquake sa Sto. Domingo was triggered by what is happening inside Mayon. So nagkaroon ng imbalance doon sa fault na yun,” he said.
(The earthquake in Sto. Domingo was triggered by what's happening inside Mayon. So an imbalance occurred in a fault there.)
“Ibig sabihin, kahit na fault ang gumagalaw pero affective of what is happening inside o beneath an active volcano na going to be abnormal. So yun yung term namin ng swarm,” he added.
(It means that the fault is the one moving but it affects what's happening inside or beneath a volcano that's going to be abnormal. That's our term for swarm.)
Moreover, 4 of the 14 monitored water wells located on the south eastern side of Mayon are experiencing decrease in water discharge, while some has dried-up. The steaming activity from the crater has also ranged from weak to moderate, and no crater glow-which would indicate magma activity that has been observed so far.
Laguerta also added that currently, there are frequent earthquakes happened near the volcano particularly in the edifice.
Because of the abnormalities observed, Phivolcs raised the alert status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 0 to Alert Level 1. This means it has entered a period of unrest.
Laguerta reminded the public to avoid entry into the 6-kilometers Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to perennial hazards of rock falls, avalanches, ash puffs and sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruption which may occur without warning.
The people living in valleys and active river channels are cautioned to remain vigilant against stream flows and lahars during prolonged heavy rainfalls brought about the advent of the rainy season.
Similarly, in 1993, there were 77 farmers killed while several foreigners and Filipino tourist guide were killed in 2003 because of phreatic explosions of Mayon. Its worst eruption killed atleast 1,200 people happened in 1814.
