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Philippines

DSWD DROMIC Report #35 on the Mayon Volcanic Activity as of 12 July 2023, 6PM

Attachments

I. Situation Overview

  • As of 12 July 2023 at 8AM, Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest and hazardous eruption within weeks or even days could still be possible.

  • In the past 24-hour period, very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed lava flows and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies as well as rockfall and PDCs on these and the Basud (eastern) Gullies. The lava flows have advanced to approximate lengths of two thousand eight hundred (2800) meters and one thousand four hundred (1400) meters along Mi-isi and Bonga gullies, respectively, from the summit crater while collapse debris has deposited to four thousand (4000) meters from the crater along the Basud channel. Eight (8) pyroclastic density currents (PDC) generated by dome- and lava-front collapse, four hundred twenty-three (423) rockfall events, and twenty-four (24) volcanic earthquakes were recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network. Continuous moderate degassing from the summit crater produced steam-laden plumes that rose 750 meters before drifting to the west-southwest. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 1128 tonnes/day on 11 July 2023. Short-term observations from EDM and electronic tiltmeter monitoring show the upper slopes to be inflating since February 2023. Longer-term ground deformation parameters based on EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still inflated, especially on the northwest and southeast.

  • It is therefore recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remain evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

  • Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised. Heavy rainfall could generate channel-confined lahars and sediment-laden streamflows in channels where PDC deposits were emplaced.

  • 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.

Source: DOST-PHIVOLCS

II. Status of Affected Areas and Population

A total of 9,867 families or 38,376 persons are affected in 26 barangays in Albay (see Table 1).