Mayon volcano becomes restive once again in the past 24 hours but state volcanologists said Thursday that the alert level stayed at 3 The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said its seismic monitoring network recorded 20 volcanic quakes and 20 “rockfall events.” “Weak emission of white steam at the summit crater was observed during cloud breaks. Crater glow last night was not observed due to thick clouds covering the summit. Aerial survey made yesterday showed remnants of lava pile inside the crater,” Phivolcs said in its 7 A.M. bulletin. But it added sulfur dioxide emission was lower in the last 24 hours, at 672 tons a day, compared to 1,914 tons recorded Wednesday. Wednesday, Phivolcs said its seismic system detected four volcanic earthquakes and 21 rockfall events related to the detachment of lava fragments at the volcano's upper slopes. Phivolcs lowered the alert level to “3” on Jan. 2, after raising it to “4” last Dec. 20. Alert Level 3 means the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano should be free ofpeople because of sudden explosions which may generate hazardous volcanic flows, it said. “People residing close to these danger areas are advised to observe precautions (against) post-eruption activity, such as rockfalls, pyroclastic flows, and ash fallout anytime due to instabilities of lava deposited on steep slopes,” it said. GMANews.TV __
