PHIVOLCS warns of stronger eruption by Mayon Volcano

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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that Mayon Volcano might have a stronger eruption following signs of new magma under the volcano because of the high sulfur it is spewing.

In a 24 Oras report from Raffy Tima, the Mayon Volcano spewed black smoke that reached 1,600 meters on Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. This new strombolian activity lasted three minutes.

Because of this, residents in areas southwest of the volcano experienced ashfall anew.

“Ang pinag-uusapan po natin diyang munisipyo ay Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, kung medyo malakas pa ang hangin, maaari pong lumayo pa papunta sa iba pang munisipyo tulad ng Ligao,” PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Antonia Bornas said.

(We are talking here about the municipalities of Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, and if the wind is a bit stronger, it could go even further to towns like Ligao.)

PHIVOLCS said that it is hard to predict the Mayon Volcano because it is an open vent type volcano. However, state volcanologists noted that the volcano has been exhibiting strange behavior compared to its earlier activity.

The Mayon Volcano last erupted in 2023, yet it was erupting again just three years later.

“Dati po ay every nine, 10 years ito pumuputok, but since 2018, pumuputok po ito ng mas madalas… Mas marami pong niluwa na lava o magma ang bulkan nitong 2026, kahit maikli lang yung panahon ng kanyang repose, maikli lang yung panahon ng kanyang recharge,” Bornas said.

(Before it was every nine, 10 years when it erupted. But since 2018, it has been erupting more frequently… This volcano expelled more lava or magma this 2026 in a short time, even during the shorter repose or the time it was recharging was short.)

Because of its continued activity this year, the amount of sulfur dioxide it was expelling should have already reduced. However in the past 24 hours, it has reached 1,930 tons, which indicates that there is more magma underneath.

“Nandyan pa po yung chance na magkaroon pa po ng susunod na pagputok, maaari itong mas malakas or mas mahina, hopefully po tumigil na ang aktibidad ng Mayon,” Bornas said.

(The chance is there that it could erupt again, this could be stronger or weaker, hopefully, Mayon’s activities will end.)

Alert Level 3 is still hoisted over the volcano, and people are still not allowed to go into the 6 kilometer permanent danger zone.

While it is a struggle, some evacuated residents are still relieved that they were safe.

“Kahit medyo mahirap syempre kasi wala kami sa sarili namin tirahan…Pero ok lang po 'yon para sa kaligtasan namin,” evacuee Norly Nodalo said.

(It is a bit hard because we are not in our own homes… But that is okay because it is for our safety.)

While Mayon’s activities were continuous, authorities have not removed the possibility that the volcano may suddenly cease its activities altogether. Once there is a prolonged quiet over the volcano, PHIVOLCS will lower the Alert Level and residents could return home. —Jean Mangaluz/NB, GMA News