Rockfall events have increased at Mayon Volcano, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Residents have been advised to avoid the area around the volcano, as rocks the size of cars are falling from Mayon's lava dome.
According to Phivolcs chief Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, the agency recorded one volcanic earthquake, 162 rockfall events, and 50 pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) on the morning of January 8. He explained that the continuous supply of magma is causing the lava dome to grow, which becomes unstable and results in rockfall events.
The rockfalls were recorded in Miisi, Bonga, and Basud Gullies, to the south, east, and southeast of the volcano near Daraga, Legaspi, and Sto. Domingo. Bacolcol explained: “It was like a car… That rockfall was that big.”
He also warned the public of the danger of pyroclastic density currents, which reach speeds of hundreds of kilometers per hour. “This is what is called a current in Bicol, like an avalanche of ash, rocks, and gas. Fast and dangerous. In the eruption in 1993, 77 people died because of it,” he added.
Currently, Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 3. According to Bacolcol, Phivolcs continues to monitor for possible increases in volcanic quakes, PDCs, sulfur dioxide emissions, lava flows, or lava fountaining. “We have not seen any lava flows. Some hot rocks and PDCs look like lava flows, but they are not real lava flows yet,” he explained.
