Mayon alert level raised to 4; eruption seen within days

December 20, 2009 | By admin |

State volcanologists on Sunday afternoon raised the alert status of Mayon Volcano in Albay province, Bicol to 4 after noting rumbling sounds in Sto. Domingo town, saying a major eruption is possible within days.

“This is to notify the public that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is now raising the alert status of Mayon Volcano from alert level 3 to alert level 4. This means that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within days,” the agency said on its Web site at 2:30 p.m.

To ensure public safety, Phivolcs said it was recommending an extended danger zone from the summit of 8 kilometers at the southern sector and 7 kilometers at the northern sector.

“Areas just outside of this extended danger zone should prepare for evacuation in the event explosive eruptions intensify,” it added.

Radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus earlier reported that Phivolcs Bicol-based monitoring head Julio Sabit had cited rumbling sounds heard in Santa Misericordia village in Santo Domingo town.

Sabit also said Phivolcs had monitored at least 463 quakes from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

He said the danger zone, which stands at a maximum of 8 km, might be expanded to 10 km.

Alert Level 4 means a “hazardous eruption” is imminent. Phivolcs characterizes this as intense unrest.

“Pag 4 na, ang pinag-uusapan natin . . . araw pwede magkaroon ng hazardous eruption (At Alert Level 4, we are talking of a hazardous eruption in a matter of days),” said Phivolcs resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta at a press conference in Albay

source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/179840/mayon-alert-level-raised-to-4-eruption-seen-within-days