LEGAZPI City, Albay (Eagle News Service)-– Mayon Volcano is now considered under critical status after volcanologists observed a crater glow since Tuesday night.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Mayon Volcano on Oct. 15 entered the 31st day of being under observation.
Phivolcs resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta said they noticed the crater glow at about 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. Wednesday morning (Oct. 15), but they believed that this may have started Tuesday night.
Laguerta also said that they would wait for the latest deformation survey results on the volcano.
This is critical since this would be their basis in raising to Alert level 4 the current alert level 3 status of the volcano.
Geodetic engineers would particularly be looking into the swelling in the upper slope of the volcano.
Laguerta said they observed the crater glow at the mouth itself of the lava dome.
Based on the latest information from Phivolcs, the seismic network around Mayon volcano recorded one rockfall event in the past 24-hour observation period.
“Moderate emission of white steam plumes drifting west-southwest and southeast was observed,” it said.
Phivolcs also noted a “weak crater glow.” Sulfur dioxide flux was also measured at an average of 187 tons per day.
(Eagle News correspondent Jorge Hallare)