NDRRMC Update SitRep No. 56 re Mayon Volcano Eruption as of 8:00 AM (06 March 2018)

I. SITUATION OVERVIEW

A. Chronological of Events and Eruption Notifications from 13 January to: 05 March 2018 (TAB A)

B. Current Situation

06 March 2018

This serves as a notice for the lowering of Mayon Volcano’s status from Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) to Alert Level 3 (decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption).
Mayon Volcano’s condition in the past week has been characterized by a general decline in unrest reflected by moderate seismicity and degassing, deflation of the edifice and a decrease in eruptive activity at the summit crater. These observations are supported by the following monitoring parameters:

1. Activity has diminished to sporadic degassing with associated ash plumes, weak lava fountaining, quiet lava flow and lava collapse, interspersed with two to four days of relative quiescence. The decline in the intensity and frequency of events suggests a gradual depletion of eruptible magma at the shallow levels of the edifice.

2. Seismic activity has been dominated by low frequency events associated with degassing at the summit and signals of rockfall and small-volume pyroclastic density currents or PDCs generated by the collapsing front and margins of lava flows on the Miisi, Bonga and Basud Gullies and intermediary channels. This is reflected in the diminishing overall seismic energy release from the volcano despite the infrequent occurrence of effusive activity at the summit crater. In the past 24 hours, a total of only four (4) volcanic earthquakes and forty-four (44) rockfall events were recorded by the seismic monitoring network.

3. Ground deformation data from Precise Leveling (PL) surveys and real-time electronic tilt continue to record deflation of the lower slopes that began on 20 February 2018. The downtrend in ground deformation follows a period of continuous inflation that began in October-November 2017 and indicates a decrease in magma recharge from deep to shallow levels of the edifice. However, based on medium-term PL data, the volcano is still inflated relative to January 2010 baselines.

4. Measured magmatic sulfur dioxide or SO2 flux throughout the eruption has varied from a maximum of 4,270 tonnes/day on 21 February to 1,400 tonnes/day on 3 March. These concentrations are significantly lower than those measured for past eruptions (e.g. up to >8,000 tonnes/day in 2009) and are consistent with batches of partially degassed magma that have incrementally risen to shallow depths within the edifice. SO2 emission was measured at an average of 2,560 tonnes/day yesterday, 5 March 2018.

In view of the above observations, PHIVOLCS-DOST is lowering the alert status of Mayon from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 to reflect the overall decrease in the level of unrest. Alert Level 3 means that there is a decreased tendency towards hazardous explosive eruption BUT should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased. The volcano can be expected to continue generating volcanic earthquakes, magmatic gas output and weak surface processes such as sporadic degassing and lava effusion events, steamdriven explosions, rockfall and PDCs, while shallow remnant magma rests within the edifice. Should the potential for hazardous explosive eruption be forewarned by an uptrend or pronounced change in monitoring parameters, the Alert Level may be raised back to Alert Level 4. Conversely, should there be a persistent downtrend in monitoring parameters, then the Alert Level will be further lowered to Alert Level 2.

PHIVOLCS-DOST reminds the public that at Alert Level 3, sudden explosions, lava collapses, PDCs and ashfall can still occur and threaten areas in the upper to middle slopes of Mayon. PHIVOLCS-DOST recommends that entry into the six kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ and a precautionary seven kilometer-radius Extended Danger Zone or EDZ in the south-southwest to east-northeast sector, stretching from Anoling, Camalig to Sta. Misericordia, Sto. Domingo, must be strictly prohibited. People residing close to these danger areas are also advised to observe precautions associated with rockfalls, PDCs and ashfall. Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone areas in the southern and eastern sectors should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and PDCs may pose hazards to aircrafts. PHIVOLCS-DOST is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders.

II. EFFECTS

A. Pre-Emptive Evacuation (TAB B)

1. A total of 16,380 families were pre-emptively evacuated in Region V due to Mt. Mayon phreatic eruption.

Source: DILG SitRep No. 04 as of 24 January 2018

B. Affected Population

1. As of 7:00 PM, 05 March 2018, a total of 23,703 families / 90,739 persons were affected in 61 barangays in the municipalities/cities of Bacacay, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Daraga, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Santo Domingo (Libog), and Legazpi City in the Province of Albay (Region V).

2. Currently, a total of 17,327 families or 66,566 persons were served inside and outside evacuation centers (ECs):

• Inside 58 ECs: 15,741 families / 60,538 persons

• Outside ECs: 1,586 families / 6,028 persons