Mayon Volcano may erupt soon

Saturday, July 11, 2009
MAYON Volcano could erupt any time soon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned on Friday.

Phivolcs raised the alert status to “moderate unrest” from “low-level unrest” for one of the country’s most active volcanoes.

Residents were reminded not to venture into a “permanent danger zone” in a six-kilometer (nearly four-mile) radius from the crater.

The zone was also extended to seven kilometers on its southeast flank, which faces Legazpi City, the capital of Albay province in the Bicol region, and its 160,000 residents.

“This alert condition signifies a state of unrest, which could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption,” Phivolcs said in its latest advisory.

The increased frequency of low-level volcanic quakes had pushed toward the crater lip “a cone-shaped pile of hot, steaming old rocks, possibly remnants from previous eruptions which could be the source of the glow at the crater,” it added.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said that the immediate danger if volcanic activity escalates was of ash explosions that could affect aviation at the Legazpi Airport or crush roofs of nearby houses.

“Sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes” are also a threat, the advisory said.

In Legazpi City, Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said, “Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar-prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.”

“Glow at the summit crater has intensified and could now be observed at Lignon Hill observatory without the aid of telescopes,” Laguerta added.

Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay immediately convened officials in threatened localities, which include the towns of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot and Santo Domingo and the cities of Legazpi, Ligao and Tabaco after the volcano showed signs of eruption.

Mayon Volcano has erupted 48 times since records began, most recently in 2006. A major eruption in 1814 buried the town of Cagsawa.

SOURCE: The Manila Times Online, http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/july/11/yehey/top_stories/20090711top7.html