NI MJ SULLIVAN
Bunsod ng naitatalang abnormalidad ng Bulkang Mayon ay itinaas na ng Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) ang alert lvel nito mula alert level 1 ay maging alert level 2.
Ayon sa Phivolcs, noong nakaraang Abril ay nakapagtala ng pagdami ng rockfall mula sa summit lava ng Mayon volcano na senyales na nagkakaroon ng seismic growth.
Sinasabing ang rockfall ay patuloy na nadaragdagan mula sa average na 5 bawat araw ay naging 49 kada araw ang naitatala mula alas-5:00 ng madaling-araw noong Linggo mula alas-5:00 ng madaling-araw ngayong umaga.
“As of 9 May 2023, the lava dome has increased in volume by approximately 83,000 m3 since 03 February 2023 and a total of nearly 164,000 m3 since 20 August 2022. A total of 318 rockfall events have been recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network since 01 April 2023 while 26 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded for the same period,” ayon sa Phivolcs.
“Short-term observations from EDM and electronic tiltmeter monitoring show the upper slopes to be inflating since February 2023. Longer-term ground deformation parameters based on EDM, precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring indicate that Mayon is still inflated, especially on the northwest and southeast, since 2020. Lastly, the highest SO2 emission measured by campaign Flyspec on 29 April 2023 averaged 576 t/d, and the last measurement on 23 May 2023 averaged 162 t/d. These low-level volcanic earthquakes, ground deformation, and volcanic gas parameters are overshadowed by recent steep increases in rockfall events which may possibly lead to further dome activity,” dagdag nito.
Sa ilalim ng alert level 2 o increasing unrest, nagkakaroon ng magmatic process sa mababaw na bahagi ng bulkan na posibleng umabot sa phreatic eruptions o magdulot ng hazardous magmatic eruption.
Pinapayuhan ng DOST-Phivolcs ang publiko na mag-ingat at huwag pumasok sa itinatakdang six (6) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) upang makaiwas sa aksidente sa sandaling magkaroon ng pagsabog, pagragasa ng mga bato, at paggguho ng lupa.
“In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Mayon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders,” ayon pa sa Phivolcs.
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