Volcano spews ash, restiveness worsens

By Mar S. Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY ---  Mt. Mayon in Albay spewed brownish ash columns threetimes Tuesday prompting disaster authorities to warn residents here ofthe volcano?s display of heightened unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said at about 5:45 AM Tuesday, three minor ash explosions took place at the volcano?s crater summit. These eventslasted for about three minutes.

Dr. Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist,said the explosion had produced a brownish ash column that rose to amaximum height of about 700 meters above the crater and drifted towards southwest.

Laguerta said seismic network recorded eleven volcanic earthquakes signifying that magma intrusion is developing atthe volcano?s vent, for the past 24 hour period.

Steam emission varied from weak to moderate thatdrifted north-northwest and east-northeast while sulfur dioxidee mission rate decreased to 50 tons a day compared to the previous reading of 818 tons a day last Saturday.

The heightened abnormality exhibited by Mayon volcano prompted Albay Gov. Joey Salceda Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) chairman to direct various town and barangay disaster to be on 24-hours alert for any event that volcano's restive condition worsens.

He directed town disaster councils to be ready to evacuate residents to safer grounds in case seismic precursors are exhibiting signs of a possible full blown eruption.

He directed the police and military authorities manning the 12 checkpoints surrounding the volcano's designated danger zone to make this area as a "no man's" land.

Alert level status remains at Alert level 2 meaning the state of unrest could lead to more ash explosions oreventually to hazardous magmatic eruption.

Phivolcs reiterated that the 6-km radius PermanentDanger Zone (PDZ) and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on thesoutheast flank of the volcano are to be off limits to the public dueto dangers from sudden explosions and rock falls from the upper slopeof the volcano.

Phivolcs also warned residents living along river channels to be on constant alert for possible lahar flows and swelling of the river during bad weather condition or during heavy rains.

Source: http://www.bicolmail.com

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