Looks like the Mayon Volcano is acting up again.
The Philippine Insitute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) today raised alert level 2 in Albay’s Mayon, meaning that the volcano, famous for its perfect cone, is in a moderate state of unrest.
PHILVOCS issued a bulletin at 8am in the morning which said that it recorded two earthquakes and two incidents of rockfall which occurred today and yesterday. Two of the earthquakes were linked to eruptions which occurred at 8:11am yesterday and at 6:27am today.
The first eruption generated ash plumes measuring 500 meters, while the second one gave 300 meter-tall plumes. The volcano also emitted sulfur dioxide.
Raising alert level 2 means that there will be instances of sudden explosions; lava collapses, when lava oozes out of the volcano; pyroclastic flows, which are fast-moving currents made up of hot gas and volcanic matter; and ashfall. These will be witnessed in the upper and middle parts of Mayon.
PHILVOCS warned people from entering the six-kilometer permanent danger zone and the extended danger zone. These zones cover the towns of Anoling, Camalig, Sta. Misericordia, and Sto. Domingo.
Those living in these areas should look out for rockfalls and pyroclastic flows. They also said people should avoid areas which are prone to lahar, a violent type of mudflow.
Mayon is the Philippines’ most active volcano, and in January last year, it had a strong eruption which led the PHILVOCS to raise alert level 4. As many as 74,000 residents were evacuated due to this.
The volcano was named after the mythical character Daragang Magayon (“beautiful maiden”), who, legend has it, was buried with her lover in the place where the volcano could be found today.
