Mayon spews white smoke
MAYON Volcano in Albay on Sunday spewed white smoke that alerted authorities in the province.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), a phreatic eruption was recorded from the Mayon Volcano summit at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday.
“The event generated a booming sound, rockfall, pyroclastic density currents or PDC and a 1,200 meter-tall plume that drifted to the southwest,” Phivolcs said.
Phivolcs resident volcanologist Dr. Paul Alanis said there is a possibility of ashfall in the towns of Daraga, Albay, Camalig and Guinobatan.
Meanwhile the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) warned pilots to avoid flying close to Mayon’s summit due to its increasing unrest.
Flights have been prohibited to operate 10,000 feet from the surface of the volcano as ash from the sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
According to Cynthia Tumanut, the area manager of Center 5, continuous monitoring is being conducted as Mayon Volcano exhibits abnormal activity.
CAAP said no ashfall was detected on the runway at Bicol International Airport but stringent inspections are being conducted to check for possible ashfall and other contaminants.
Mayon Volcano is under Alert Level 2.
