The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday raised Alert Level 3 over Mount Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol region due to the ”increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.”
In its 12 noon bulletin, Phivolcs Mayon Volcano is "exhibiting a magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome with increased chances of lava flows."
“Hazardous PDCs [Pyroclastic density currents] affecting the upper to middle slopes of the volcano and of potential explosive activity within weeks or even days,” it added.
According to Phivolcs, it recorded a total of 267 rockfall events that lasted for 1 to 3 minutes, and 2 volcanic earthquakes from June 5 to June 8.
Three pyroclastic density current (PDC) events were also observed on the Bonga and Basud Gullie at 6:18 AM, 9:53 AM, and 11:00 AM today.
The state seismologist said residents living in the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) of Mayon should be immediately evacuated.
It added that residents should be careful “against pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice.”
Phivolcs said that ash fall events may occur on the south side of the Mayon volcano.
Aircraft are advised not to fly close to the volcano as ashes from a sudden eruption can be dangerous.
