Mayon Volcano Alert: Latest Updates on Earthquakes, Rockfalls, and PDCs

Mayon Volcano in Albay still showed signs of intensified unrest with volcanic earthquakes, rockfalls and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or "uson" in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said. The volcano had 83 volcanic earthquakes, 273 rockfall events, and 61 PDCs on Tuesday, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin. A lava dome and crater glow were seen as the volcano continues to have lava flow effusion with episodic minor strombolian activity. Incandescent PDCs or "uson" meanwhile were seen being shed onto the Mi-isi Gully in the south, Bonga Gully in the southeast, and Basud Gully in the east on Tuesday. Mayon Volcano also emitted 1,973 tonnes of sulfur dioxide on Tuesday. Moderate plumes rose up to 500 meters above the crater before drifting northeast and east-southeast. Alert Level 3 (Intensified Unrest/Magmatic Unrest) continues to be in effect over Mayon Volcano, PHIVOLCS said. The agency warned the public of possible hazards such as: rockfalls or landslides or avalanches; ballistic fragments; lava flows and lava fountaining; PDCs; moderate-sized explosions; and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall. Some residents in Legazpi City and Daraga town in Albay experienced ashfall from Mayon Volcano on Monday night. PHIVOLCS said entry into the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) should not be allowed. Likewise, entry without vigilance into the Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) should be prohibited, it said.