Mayon silent again but Phivolcs remains cautious

Restive Mayon Volcano calmed down a bit as it registered only one ash explosion Tuesday, but state volcanologists are not taking their chances. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said other signs still point to magma making its way up the volcano’s summit. Despite the decrease in volcanic activity, Mayon remains at alert level 4. “Kung pag-uusapan ang pagsabog, kahapon isa lang ang nakita, almost buong maghapon may cloud cover. Pero ang paglabas ng lava patuloy pa rin (If we are talking about explosions, we recorded only one on Tuesday but mainly it was because of cloud cover. Still, there is still lava flow coming from the volcano)," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio. Phivolcs’ 7 a.m. report said one ash explosion occurred Tuesday, and produced a dirty white ash column that rose to about 100 meters above the summit and drifted northwest. But lava continued to flow down along the Bonga-Buyuan, Miisi and Lidong gullies. The lava front has reached about 5.9 km from the summit along the Bonga-Buyuan gully. The seismic network recorded 16 volcanic earthquakes and 150 rock fall events related to the detachment of lava fragments at the volcano’s upper slopes. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate yielded an average value of 4,397 tonnes per day (t/d). “The volcano edifice remains inflated as indicated by the electronic tilt meter installed at the northeast sector of the volcano," it said. Phivolcs raised the alert level for Mayon to 4 last Dec. 20, after raising it to 3 on Dec. 14. Figures from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) indicate more than 47,000 people living near the danger zone are now housed in 29 evacuation centers. Solidum said that even if they lower the alert level for Mayon, it will be gradual and based on careful evaluation of the potential for explosion. “Kahit lumalabas ang lava tingnan natin mabuti ang potential for explosion. Sa ngayon patuloy ang pag-akyat ng magma. Ayaw natin magkaroon ng biglang pagsabog na makakaapekto sa tao. May nakaraang mga eruption na tahimik pero sumasabog after (Even if lava is flowing from the volcano, we are closely studying the potential for explosion. For now, magma is rising up the summit. We don’t want a surprise explosion after a lull)," he said. The timetable for allowing residents to return to their homes will depend on arrangements with the local government, Solidum said. If there are no more signs that the volcano is exploding, Solidum said Phivolcs will lower the alert level gradually. - with Nikka Corsino/LBG, GMANews.TV