The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) issued an Alert Level 3 on the Mayon Volcano on Sunday, Jan 14 at around 8 PM. The warning means: “hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days.” Reports say thousands were already evacuated.
Over the weekend, a glowing red light was seen coming from the infamous Mayon Volcano in Albay. This indicates that lava is starting to flow. A report by ABS-CBN says “3 steam-driven eruption blew ash plumes in to the air during the weekend.” That was according to Philvolcs director Renato Solidum. The last recorded phreatic eruption on Mayon Volcano was in May 2013.
Mayon Volcano Updates, PHILVOCS Rais Alert Level 3
The Mayon Volcano was only on Alert Level 2 less than 24 hours since PHILVOLCS raised itto Alert Level 3. This means there is always tendency for hazardous eruption. Solidum says the eruption is possible within weeks or even days. It is being observed if there would be enough pressure that could propel and explode the magma coming out of the volcano.
The government also announced a seven-kilometer radius danger zone around the volcano since there have been reports of rock falls. Report says around 3,338 individuals have been evacuated from municipalities included in the danger zone.
According to the Inquirer, Gov. Al Francis Bichara has ordered the suspension of classes from kinder to senior high school starting Monday in the areas affected affected by steam-driven eruption that bought ash fall in numerous areas. Schools in barangays like Anoling, Quirangay, Sua, Tumpa, Tinubran in Camalig, Tandarora and Maninila in Guinobatan, Miisi, Budiao, and Matnog in Daraga, Calbayog and Canaway in Malilipot, Buang, Buhian, and Magapo in Tabaco City and Baligang and Amtic in Ligao City will be used as evacuation centers.
Some witnesses, however, uploaded images of the Mayon Volcano. They’ve reported seeing the glowing red of lava emerging from the mouth of the volcano last night. And according to the update by Ed Laguerta of PHILVOLCS today, the lava is currently descending toward the direction of Miisi, Daraga, Albay.