Government Agency braces for renewed eruptive activity in Mayon

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded an “abrupt rise” in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Mayon Volcano on Monday, suggesting the possibility of renewed eruptive activity.



In an advisory, Phivolcs said SO2 emissions from the summit crater reached a very high rate of 8,393 tonnes per day, just days after the volcano’s alert status was lowered to Alert Level 2 (moderate level of unrest) from Alert Level 3 (intensified unrest).



"Elevated volcanic SO2 emissions could forewarn of a potential shift to renewed eruptive activity at the summit crater that could generate volcanic hazards all around the volcano, the impacts of which can be worsened by the prevailing poor weather conditions.”



This was the highest SO2 emission recorded from Mayon since volcanic gas concentrations began decreasing on July 16th.

Since the alert level was lowered on Aug. 5th, SO2 emissions have averaged 2,532 tonnes per day.