Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over the volcano.
In its report on its official social media platforms, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported an ongoing dome collapse pyroclastic density current at Mayon Volcano in Albay.
In the videos captured by its cameras between 6:36 pm and 7:00 pm on January 7, the crater glow or “banaag” was seen at the summit of Mayon Volcano.
This happened as the “superheated volcanic gas from new magma lights up the atmosphere above the crater, and incandescent lava dome at the crater with newly-laid incandescent material from rockfall and short pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or “uson” on the Bonga Gully shed from the dome,” the agency explained.
According to the state volcanology bureau, Alert Level 3 prevails over Mayon and entry into the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone must be prohibited.
In its prior advisory on Tuesday, January 6, PHIVOLCS said that since the alert level status ofwas raised from 1 to 2, there had been “repeated collapse of the unstable summit dome of Mayon Volcano has generated an increasing number and volume of rockfall events.”
The raising of Alert Level 3, the bureau furthered, “[…]means that Mayon is exhibiting magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome, with increased chances of lava flows and hazardous PDCs or uson affecting the upper to middle slopes of the volcano and of potential explosive activity within days or weeks.”
“Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised,” added PHIVOLCS.
Meanwhile, civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
“Based on the current prevailing wind pattern, ash fall events may most likely occur on the south side of the volcano,” noted the agency as they continue their monitoring of the volcano.
