Friday, Nov 07, 2014

Mayon volcano (Philippines), activity summary 29 Oct - 4

Nov: continuing inflation
Friday Nov 07, 2014 13:14 PM
PHIVOLCS reported that during 28 October-4 November white plumes rose
from Mayon's crater and drifted SW, WSW, WNW, and NW, sometimes down
the flanks. Weak incandescence from the crater was noted at night on 28
October.
A few volcanic earthquakes and rockfall signals were recorded during 29-31
October and 4 November. A 4 November report noted that ground
deformation had been detected since the beginning of 2014.
Tilt data from the network on the NW flank indicated continuing inflation
since August, subsequent to a period of inflation in June and July. The
inflation events were thought to correspond to a magma body, approximately
107 cubic meters, slowly intruding at depth. Precise leveling measurements
also indicated sustained inflation. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 0-5
scale).
(Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 29 October-4 November
2014)

Saturday, Nov 01, 2014

Mayon volcano (Luzon Island, Philippines) activity update

PHIVOLCS reported that during 22-28 October white plumes rose from
Mayon's crater and drifted SW, WSW, WNW, and NW. A few volcanic
earthquakes and rockfall signals were recorded during 23-25 and 28 October.

Weak crater incandescence from the crater was noted at night on 22, 25, and
27 October. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 0-5 scale).

Friday, Oct 24, 2014

Mayon volcano (Philippines), activity summary 14-21 Oct:

slow lava extrusion
Friday Oct 24, 2014 14:57 PM

PHIVOLCS reported that during 14-21 October white plumes rose from
Mayon's crater and drifted NW, W, WSW, SW, and SE. On 14 October a
seismic signal indicating a rockfall was recorded and a brief period of
incandescence from the crater was observed.
A few volcanic earthquakes were recorded during 18-21 October. On 19
October weak incandescence from the crater was noted. A new lava flow first
observed that same day was 300-400 m long on 20 October based on an
aerial survey.
Weak crater incandescence from the lava dome was again seen on 21
October. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 0-5 scale). (Smithsonian / USGS
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 15-21 October 2014)

Monday, Oct 13, 2014

Mayon volcano (Luzon Island, Philippines) activity update:

extrusion of viscous lava flow, warning of possible
explosive eruption
Monday Oct 13, 2014 18:12 PM
A viscous lava flow started to descend from the summit crater of the volcano
on the southeast slope. On Sunday, it was approx. 350 m long and advancing

slowly, with incandescence visible at night.

According to an interview with Philvolcs scientists, the present situation is
similar to the days before a large explosion occurred in 1986. The currently
slow extrusion could be the foreplay of a potentially dangerous and large
explosive eruption. This scenario could occur if the lava flow is caused by new,
gas-rich magma, which is now rising and currently pushing out an overlying
column of older, degassed and viscous lava above it in the conduit.
According to press articles, more than 12,000 people have been evacuated
from areas close to the volcano and a 6 km exclusion zone is in place. Other
hazards include landslides and pyroclastic flows if parts of the lava flow
collapse.

Wednesday, Sep 24, 2014

Mayon volcano (Luzon Island, Philippines) activity update

Wednesday Sep 24, 2014 11:05 AM | BY: T
During 17-18 September the network recorded 142 volcanic earthquakes and
251 rockfall events. Although rain clouds prevented visual observations of the
crater, white steam plumes drifting SSW were noted.
The network recorded 38 volcanic earthquakes and 277 rockfall events during
18-19 September; cloud cover prevented visual observations. During 19-21
September four volcanic earthquakes along with 8-22 rockfall events per day
were recorded.
White steam plumes drifted ENE and NNE during 20-21 September. During
21-23 September three volcanic earthquakes per day and 13-18 rockfall
events per day were recorded; white steam plumes drifted NNE, NE, ENE, and
SW.

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2014

Mayon volcano (Philippines): glowing rockfalls, alert

level raised, evacuations
Wednesday Sep 17, 2014 09:40 AM

The volcano could to be heading towards a new eruption. PHILVOLCS

raised the alert level of the volcano was raised from 2 to 3 (on a scale of
1-5) on 15 Sep, following increased seismic activity and observation of
small incandescent rockfalls on the southeastern upper flank.
The presence of low-frequency earthquakes suggests that magma has
started to rise within the volcano, which would explain the recently
observed lava dome and the glowing rockfalls during recent days, which
in turn likely originated from it.
The exclusion zone around Mayon has been extended to 6 km around the
whole volcano and 7 km on the most exposed southeastern sector. This
area is most at risk, if dangerous pyroclastic flows (hot avalanches of
fragmented lava from the dome, mixed with hot air and gasses) develop.
Evacuations of families living in this area have begun. According to press
articles, military is assisting the evacuation operations, deploying 20
trucks. The number of people residing in the danger zone is estimated to
be approx. 10,000 families.

Sunday, Aug 17, 2014

Mayon volcano (Philippines): new lava dome in summit

crater
Sunday Aug 17, 2014 10:37 AM
A small lava dome is present at the top of the volcano. During a field survey
on 12 August, PHIVOLCS scientists observed a new lava dome, approx. 30-50
m high. It is not known when exactly the dome had grown, but it seems likely
that it was relatively recently.
In the past 2 months, the volcano experienced weak and short phases of
inflation, suggesting pulses of rising magma. In addition, sulfur dioxide
emissions had been higher than normal during the past 2 weeks. However, no
incandescence was observed during the past 4 months.
As a precaution, PHILVOLCS decided to raise the alert level of the volcano
from 1 to 2. An exclusion zone of 6 km radius around the summit is in place.
Previously, it had been raised from 0 to 1 last year on 2 June, following
changes in seismic activity and observed glow at the summit crater.

Monday, Jul 01, 2013

Mayon volcano (Luzon Island, Philippines) activity update

PHILVOLCS maintains alert level 1 for the volcano. No significant seismic
activity is taking place, and no crater glow has been observed recently.
Degassing is at normal levels, but ground deformation measurements show
that the edifice is still slightly inflated compared to January 2010 baselines.
Alert level 1 means that it is thought that presently no magmatic eruption is
imminent, but it is strongly advised to stay out of a radius of 6 km around the

volcano because of the danger of sudden (phreatic) explosions as well as

rockfalls and landslides and mud flows during heavy rainfall

Monday Jun 03, 2013

Mayon volcano (Philippines): alert level raise

Monday Jun 03, 2013 10:56 AM
The alert level for the volcano has been raised by PHILVOLCS. A weak
incandescence is sometimes observed at the summit, and slight inflation has
been detected, suggesting that magma has started to intrude into the
volcanic edifice.
On the other hand, SO2 and seismic parameters have not shown a significant
increase, which probably means that an eruption is not imminent.
However, as the deadly phreatic eruption on 7 May illustrated, sudden
explosions can occur any time without particular precursory signs.

Mayon volcano (Philippines): sudden explosion kills 5

climbers
Tuesday May 07, 2013 06:57 AM
A sudden (probably phreatic) powerful eruption from the summit crater
occurred this morning and killed at least 5 people in camp #2 and wounded
15 others.
The victims, many foreigners, were part of an organized group of climbers.
They were surprised by the explosion that showered the camp area with
ballistic blocks that hit them.
The eruption itself produced a large ash-plume rising several hundred meters
before dispersing.