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MAYON VOLCANO ASH EXPLOSIONS

LEGAZPI CITY— Three minor ash explosions occurred at the summit crater of Mayon Volcano around 5:37 AM today, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Alex Baloloy, Phivolcs science research analyst, said the explosion was the first one since Alert Level 2 has been hoisted over the volcano in July this year.

Phivolcs recorded the ash explosions lasted for about three minutes producing a brownish ash column that rose to a maximum height of about 700 meters above the crater and drifted to the southwest direction.

“The explosion is a minor one and Alert Level 2 remains in effect over the volcano,” Baloloy noted.

He added that ash falls were observed at the southwest portion of the volcano.

According to its latest bulletin issued 8:00 AM today, Phivolcs said that its seismic instruments recorded eleven (11) volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours.

Steam emission varied from weak to moderate that drifted north-northwest and east-northeast. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate decreased to 50 tonnes/day compared to the previous reading of 818 tonnes/day on September 12, 2009). Faint crater glow (Intensity I) was observed last night.

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 remain off-limits to human activities due to the threat from sudden explosions and rock falls from the upper slope.

Phivolcs also warned that active river channels and lahar prone areas in the southeast sector of the volcano should also be avoided as life-threatening mud flows because ash and other loose volcanic deposits may be washed out during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Meanwhile, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office warned residents to take extra precautionary measures and be ready for evacuation in case the volcano’s state of unrest continues and worsens. (MALoterte, PIA V)