FILE PHOTO: Mayon Volcano on a sunny weather
ALBAY, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is constantly monitoring the activity of Mt. Mayon following a series of minor ash emissions.
According to Senior Science Specialist Dr. Ed Laguerte, these activities cannot be equated into something alarming. It is just a result of the cooling off of magma inside the volcano following its latest eruption in January.
However, they are considered abnormal activity as far as Mt. Mayon is concerned.
“Sa geophysics kasi hindi gaano, walang masyadong ipinapakita ngayon, maliban doon sa mga gas output nito. Mga pailan-ilan tapos nagkakaroon ka ng ash emission tapos sa gas output nagrarange pa rin doon sa hindi pa rin normal kasi meron pa ngang nagdedegas na magma,” Laguerte explained.
The expert added that they have monitored a slight swelling in the upper slope of the volcano.
Still, it is not a reason to raise the current alert level 2 to level 3.
Meanwhile, Phivolcs is currently using a new equipment in monitoring volcanic activities in the country.
The agency is now using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIS) facility which is used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid or gas. The facility, which was bought in Germany, is also expected to generate data regarding Mt. Mayon’s other gas emissions.
As for the recent activity of Mt. Mayon, the Phivolcs has recorded around nine volcanic quakes within 24 hours and about 1,377 tons of sulfur dioxide gas have been spewed from the period of November 30 to date – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Allan Manansala)