Mayon Volcano Advisory

Mayon Volcano Advisory
28 October 2009

8:00 A.M.

This is to notify the public and concerned authorities on the current activity of Mayon Volcano.

At 5:32 AM today, one minor ash explosion occurred at the summit crater of Mayon Volcano (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E). This event lasted for about one minute. The explosion produced a brownish ash column that rose to a maximum height of about 600 meters above the crater and drifted to the northeast. For the past 24 hours, the seismic network recorded thirteen (13) volcanic earthquakes. Steam emission was at moderate level creeping downslope towards southwest. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate was measured yesterday at 250 tonnes/day. Crater glow was not observed last night due to poor visibility.

The status of Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 2. This means a state of unrest which could lead to more ash explosion or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption. Thus PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slope. Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather condition or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Any new development will be posted and relayed immediately to all concerned authorities.