By Mar S. Arguelles
PNA- Mt. Mayon spewed a series of ash column clouds Monday and last Friday which according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) are signs that the volcano is on heightened state of unrest that may lead to an eruption.
Phivolcs said at about 7:04 a.m. Monday a minor ash explosion took place that spawned a grayish ash clouds while another ash puffing happened 7:59 p.m. Friday.
The two ash puffing events were triggered by explosions type quakes that lasted for about three minutes on Friday and another two and half minutes on Monday.
Phivolcs volcanologist observed the Monday ash explosion that produced a grayish ash cloud which was blown by strong winds down slope towards the southwest, preventing it from rising above the crater.
While the Friday explosion, Phivolcs instruments had recorded the explosion type quake but scientist failed to observed whether the explosion produced a brownish ash column due to heavy cloud cover prevailing that time.
Phivolcs seismic network recorded 43 volcanic earthquakes Sunday while 47 volcanic earthquakes was detected on Friday.
The fluctuating volcanic quakes signifies that magma is developing and climbing the volcano’s vent.
The agency seismic network recorded the event as an explosion type earthquake on Friday was accompanied by rumbling sounds that was reportedly heard by residents at barangay Bonga and Banadero a village located at Southeast flank of the volcano of the city.
Reports have it that some residents in these area who heard the explosion and rumbling sounds scampered and move to safer grounds.
Volcanologist said Mt. Mayon’s had spewed ash clouds for the fifth time since September, saying that the mountains display of interval of ash explosion are indication that the volcano’s eruptive stage is following the 1999 eruption.
Volcanologist observed that the volcano’s display of fluctuating ground deformation, SO2 gas emission, quakes, ash puffing, crater glow and evolving lava dome at the volcano’s summit are signs that magma is building up and moving towards the crater vent.
The volcano emitted 535 tons of Sulfur dioxide gas on Monday a little higher than that of the 473 tons spewed on Friday.
The heightened abnormality exhibited by Mayon volcano prompted Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who is also the 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.
Farmers, residents, mountain climbers and orchid collectors were advised to avoid the recommended danger zones in the southeast and southwest sectors covering the municipalities of Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, and the cities of Ligao and Legazpi.
He directed town disaster councils in these areas to be ready for any eventuality and to evacuate residents to safer grounds in case the volcano’s abnormalities worsens and Phivolcs raise the volcano alert status to a higher level.
The PDCC has distributed megaphones and wireless radio communication equipments, bikes, transistor radios to hundred of villages affected by the impending eruption, and has prepositioned 35 military trucks, nine ambulances in various affected towns for evacuation purposes in case Phivolcs decides to raise the volcano’s alert level to three.
He directed the police and military authorities manning the 12 checkpoints surrounding the volcano’s designated danger zone to make this area as a â€no man's†land.
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Topic: Mt. Mayon Volcano May Erupt Again (Read 5018 times)