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Philippines

DSWD DROMIC Report #72 on the Mayon Volcanic Activity as of 06 September 2023, 6PM

Attachments

I. Situation Overview

  • As of 06 September 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, slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed the established lava flows on the Bonga (southeastern), Mi-isi (south), and Basud (eastern) gullies. The lava flows have maintained their respective advances to approximately 3.4 kilometers, 2.8 kilometers, and 1.1 kilometers from the crater. Rockfall and pyroclastic density currents or PDCs generated by collapses of the lava flow margins as well as of the summit dome deposited debris still within four (4) kilometers of the crater. The Mayon Volcano Network recorded a total of three (3) volcanic earthquakes. Additionally, the network detected one hundred eighteen (118) rockfall events and three (3) PDC events. Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 2,158 tonnes/day on 05 September 2023. Short-term observations from electronic tilt and GPS monitoring indicate pronounced inflation of southeastern middle slopes since the beginning of August 2023. Longer-term ground deformation parameters from EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still generally inflated relative to baseline levels.

  • 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 PDCs, 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. DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.

Source: DOST-PHIVOLCS

II. Status of Affected Areas and Population

A total of 9,876 families or 38,396 persons are affected in 26 barangays in Albay (see Table 1).