Mayon: Not Much Happening – Update 4 Jan 2010

Mayon seems to have taken another day off!

Not much is happening on the geophysical from at the volcano. The state vulcanologists told reporters they had not observed in recent rise of magma.

The govt of Albay province said it was allowing some 45,000 people living withing the 7 to 8-km zone from Mayon to return to their homes. However, another 2,000 or so people who live within the 6-km permanent danger zone (PDZ) must stay in the make shift shelters for now.

The provincial governor was quoted as saying that the province was planning to permanently relocate the people who lived in the 6-km PDZ.

It defies the imagination however why those people were allowed to settle in the PDZ in the first place.

Mayon Volcano Bulletin 22 released by PHIVOLCS on 4 January 2010

Mayon Volcano’s (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E) seismic monitoring network  detected 7 volcanic earthquakes and 33 rockfall events related to the detachment of lava fragments at the volcano’s upper slopes. Steaming activity was not observed due to thick clouds that covered the summit crater. Pale crater glow was observed last night. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) measurement was not conducted yesterday due to rain that occurred over the volcano area.

Alert Level 3 is in effect over Mayon, which means that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the southeast flank of the volcano should be free from human activity because of sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows. People residing close to these danger areas are also advised to observe precautions associated with post-eruption activity, such as rockfalls, pyroclastic flows, and ash fallout which can also occur anytime due to instabilities of lava deposited on steep slopes. Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone in the southern sector 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 ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircrafts. PHIVOLCS-DOST is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately posted to all concerned.

For previous entries, additional information, photos and links to Mayon Volcano entries see links below:

• Mt Mayon Menacingly Mute – Update [3 January 2010]
• Mayon may be gradually returning to the repose period
• Could Blue Moon Trigger Mayon Explosion?

Related Links:

• Mayon Volcano Links Page [Recent Posts, Photos, Videos and Comments]
  
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Mayon Alert Raised to Level 4

Mayon Major Eruption Expected Within Days

Fire Earth Forecast: 76% chance Mayon explodes before 2010

State volcanologist in the Philippines raised the Mayon Volcano (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E) alert status  to level on Sunday at 14:30 local time, which means they expect a major eruption within days.

PHIVOLCS reported Sunday that the advancing lava flow had traveled about 4.5 kilometers from the crater along Bonga-Buyuan Gully. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission had increased from 2,034 MT per day (t/d) to 7,024 t/d.

Their seismic network had recorded a total of two hundred twenty two (222) volcanic quakes and tremors in the previous 24 hours, they said.

According to other reports rumbling sounds were heard in Santa Misericordia village near Santo Domingo town, about 8.5 km to the east of Mt Mayon.

Related Links to Mayon Posts and Updates:

• 76% chance Mayon explodes before 2010

• Volcano UPDATE: Mt Mayon Could Explode
• Mayon Lava in Interesting Times!
• Mayon Volcano Oozes Lava
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
• Mount Mayon neighbors on evacuation alert
• Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash

Volcano UPDATE: Mt Mayon Could Explode

Mayon: What might happen next

After an explosive eruption, the “perfect cone” could disappear partially or altogether

A major hazardous eruption could lead to large explosions destroying Mt Mayon. The erupting volcano could empty its magma chamber causing the much-admired “perfect cone” edifice to collapse into its depleted reservoir, and forming a caldera.

BEFORE: Mayon volcano,  located in a coconut-growing region of the central Philippines, is famed for its near-perfect cone shape. Mt Mayon. Credit: Lozaphilippines. Image may be subject to copyright.

AFTER: If Mt Mayon edifice collapses into the magma chamber, the after image may look like the above. [The snow cover is less likely right now.] Photo shows Aniakchak Caldera in the Aleutian Range, Alaska. This 10 km diameter caldera formed about 3,450 years ago. Many smaller cinder cones have formed within the caldera. Credit: USGS

Mayon UPDATE:

As Mayon Volcano continued to eject 500-m plumes of ash into air, spewing lava down its slopes for a third day, and burning rocks, mud and everything else in its path, PHIVOLCS vulcanologists said they expected a major explosive eruption soon.

Up to 50,000 people have been or are about to be evacuated from Mayon’s danger zones and neighboring areas, Philippines Defense Secretary said in a news conference.

Many villagers are reluctant to live because its seasonal harvest time for their crops. They are staying put despite th eregional government threat of martial law.

PHIVOLCS, whose computer network is off the internet when there’s a crisis, as is the case right now,  was reported ass saying it had recorded at least five minor explosions at the volcano on Wednesday, and 80 “high frequency quakes” in the last 24 hours.

For previous updates see:

• Mayon Lava in Interesting Times!
• Mayon Volcano Oozes Lava
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
• Mount Mayon neighbors on evacuation alert
• Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash

Related Links:

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links