25-6-2023 (MANILA) Mayon Volcano in the Philippines continues to be highly active with lava flows, rockfalls, and volcanic earthquakes observed in the past 24 hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The lava slowly oozing out of the crater has reached 1.3 kilometers along the Mi-isi gully in Daraga town and 1.2 km in Bonga gully in Legazpi City, with debris from the collapses reaching as far as 3.3 km away from the crater.
Phivolcs also reported 257 rockfall events, 24 volcanic earthquakes, and 16 fast-moving avalanches of volcanic ash, rock, and gases, known as pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). Mayon Volcano has been under Alert Level 3, indicating the possibility of a hazardous eruption within weeks or even days, since June 8.
Phivolcs has warned that heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits were emplaced. Over 20,000 people in Albay have been evacuated to safer areas due to Mayon’s unrest, with the majority of evacuees taken to 28 evacuation centers in the province.
The government has provided P91.8 million in assistance to affected residents, but the volcanic activity has disrupted the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen in the area. Phivolcs has earlier stated that Mayon’s unrest could continue for at least three months, and the authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and welfare of the affected communities.
