DATE: 19 December 2009 as of 10:00 PM
Source: DOST-PNIVOLCS, OCDRC-V, ALBAY PDCC, AFP. JTF MAYAN, DPWH V
I. SITUATION OVERVIEW
The status of Mayon volcano remains hoisted at Alert Level 3. This means that magma is close to the crater and hazardous explosive eruption is imminent
Since an increasing trend is noticeable at present, the possibility of hazardous volcanic eruption is high.
Observations:
Mayon Volcano manifested an increase in its activity during the past observation period. A total of one hundred ninety seven (197) volcanic quakes and tremors were recorded by the seismic network. Eighteen (18) of these events were explosion type, however, only fifteen (15) were observed during times of goad visibility.
Harmonic tremors were continuously recorded by the seismic instruments.
The explosions produced dirty white to grayish ash columns that reached height from 200 to 2000 above the summit before drifting towards southwest.
During the cloud breaking this morning, steaming activity ranged from dirty white to light brown in color. Night observation showed an intensified crater glow and continuous rolling down of incandescent materials from the crater.
The advancing lava flow has now reached approximately 4 km dawnslope from the crater along Bongo Gully.
Sulfur dioxide (S02) emission increases from 1055 to 2,034 tonnes per day (t/d).