Mayon on higher unrest status after crater glow observed: Phivolcs
By: Philippine News AgencyOctober 16, 2014
InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
LEGAZPI CITY -- A faint crater glow caused by new magma, which is possibly near the crater mouth of Mayon, points to the fact that Mayon Volcano is on its higher unrest status, according to a veteran volcanologist.
The crater glow was observed starting 3:00 a.m. up to early morning Wednesday.
Ed Laguerta, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology resident volcanologist, said the faint glow may become intense.
Lagueta said during the regular media briefing on the 2014 Mayon Volcano Eruption Operation that this is one of the recent developments after lava flowed down 350 meters from the summit on Sunday.
He said if the new magma continues to ascend, the crater glow will become moderate, then intense.
The veteran volcanologist said that if the glow becomes intense, this would mean that the volcano is about to erupt.
Aside from the glow, there will be continuous quakes or harmonic tremors and ground vibrations.
Laguerta said they are also closely monitoring the steaming activity at the western side of the volcano, facing the town of Camalig.
"If there is steaming, that means this portion of the volcano is soft, which further means that the magma or lava can exit through it," he added.
The Phivolcs official said the observance of ground deformation they are conducting will be finished Wednesday.
"If the result shows that the lower ground is no longer inflated, it is dangerous because it means magma is already nearing the mouth of Mayon," he stressed.
Aside from this, Laguerta said, the volume of sulfuric dioxide (SO2) emission is very low at 187 metric tons, which means the crater of Mayon is still sealed, which could lead to the volcano's increased strength.
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