ALBAY, Philippines – Nagtala ang Mayon Volcano ng mataas na emission ng volcanic sulfur dioxide o SO₂ mula sa summit crater nito noong Agosto 31, ayon sa Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Umabot sa 7,115 tonelada kada araw ang SO₂ emission, batay sa average measurements gamit ang stationary UV spectrometry. Ayon sa PHIVOLCS, ito na ang ikalawang pinakamataas na emission ng Mayon mula nang magsimulang bumaba ang volcanic gas concentrations noong Hulyo 16. Mula nang ibaba sa Alert Level 2 ang status ng bulkan noong Agosto 5, nasa average na 3,844 tonelada kada araw ang SO₂ emission.
“This abrupt rise has been accompanied by a slight increase in the occurrence of low frequency volcanic earthquakes or LFVQs that are attributed to volcanic degassing,” sabi ng PHIVOLCS.
Pagsapit ng hatinggabi noong Martes, 12 LFVQs ang naitala ng Mayon Volcano Network, ngunit nananatili sa background level ang real-time seismic energy release.
Maaari umanong senyales ang mataas na SO₂ emission ng posibleng pagbabalik ng eruptive activity sa summit crater. Naitala rin ang panandaliang pamamaga o pressurization sa hilaga at silangang bahagi ng bulkan.
Nanatili ang Mayon sa Alert Level 2 o moderate level of unrest, ngunit nagbabala ang PHIVOLCS na posibleng muling magkaroon ng eruptive unrest.
“A new phase of eruption could generate life-threatening volcanic hazards that include pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or uson, rockfall, ballistic fragments that can be thrown out as projectiles from the crater and extensive ashfall that could severely impact communities downwind of the volcano,” ayon sa PHIVOLCS.
Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang pagpasok sa 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) at sa mga lugar na itinalagang sakop ng PDC hazards. Pinayuhan din ang mga residente at local government units na maging handa sakaling tumaas sa Alert Level 3 ang status ng Mayon.
“Increased vigilance and pre-emptive response actions to guard against lahars and sediment-laden streamflow along channels draining the edifice are also advised during sustained heavy or intense rains especially in the event of simultaneous explosive eruption,” payo ng state volcanologists.
“Civil aviation authorities should continue to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash and ballistic fragments from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” dagdag nila. RNT/MDS
