Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 17) – The eruption of Mayon Volcano could end in a few weeks, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Monday.
Mayon, the most active volcano in the Philippines, was placed under Alert Level 2 on June 5 due to its unrest. Three days later, the alert was upgraded to Level 3, which remains in effect until now.
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“From our computations nasa around 16 million cubic meters of volcanic materials ang inilabas. Kung icocompare yan sa similar eruption nung 2009 na umabot around 20 million cubic meters of volcanic materials kung titignan natin kung pareho itong 2023 sa 2009, konti nalang po yung aantayin natin para tumigil yung eruption,” Phivolcs resident volcanologist Paul Alanis said.
[Translation: Around 16 million cubic meters of volcanic material have been released. If compared with the 2009 eruption which saw the release of around 20 million cubic meters to the 2023 eruption, then there is only a short wait before this ends.]
Over 40,000 were evacuated amid Mayon Volcano’s eruption in late 2009. From Alert Level 4 in December 2009, it was reduced to Level 3, and then Level 2, in January 2010.
“From our assessment, siguro mga ilang linggo nalang, titigil na yung eruption [The eruption may end in a few weeks],” he added.
Phivolcs said data confirmed observation that Mayon was having an “ effusive eruption,” where lava steadily pours out of the volcano’s mouth. The agency described the activity as “relatively quiet.”
Alanis added the number of volcanic earthquakes have been increasing, with 834 quakes recorded since June 1 to the present time, or about two weeks, and 184 between July 16 and July 17, or only two days.
He also noted the reappearance of “repetitive pulse tremors,” or a continuous tremor-like series of weak volcanic earthquakes at 11 a.m. on July 16.
