Mayon Volcano's Unrest Expected to Last at Least Three Months, Says Phivolcs Executive

The unrest of the Mayon volcano in the Philippines is likely to last for at least three months, according to a senior executive from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The alert level for the volcano has been raised to 3, which means that it is currently in a state of "relatively high unrest" and could erupt within weeks or months.

The PHIVOLCS executive said that the current activity of the Mayon volcano is similar to what was observed before its eruptions in 2006 and 2013. He noted that there have been increases in seismic activity and ground deformation since December 2020, indicating that magma is rising beneath the surface. The executive also warned that an eruption could occur without any further warning signs.

In response to the increased unrest, authorities have imposed a 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone around the volcano and ordered people living within this area to evacuate. They have also advised people living up to 8 kilometers away from the volcano to be prepared for evacuation if necessary.

The Mayon volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has a history of violent eruptions. In 1814, an eruption killed more than 1,200 people and destroyed several towns. In 2018, an ash explosion killed five climbers who had ventured too close to the crater.

Given its history of violent eruptions, officials are taking extra precautions with regards to monitoring Mayon’s activity. PHIVOLCS scientists are closely monitoring seismic activity and ground deformation as well as other indicators such as gas emissions and changes in water temperature near the volcano. They are also using drones to monitor areas around the volcano for signs of potential hazards.

At present, PHIVOLCS estimates that the unrest at Mayon will likely last for at least three months before subsiding. However, they caution that this timeline could change depending on how the situation develops over time. As such, they advise people living near the volcano to remain vigilant and follow all safety protocols issued by local authorities.