By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Mayon Volcano exhibited a minor explosive eruption marked by lava bursts Thursday evening, prompting authorities to maintain heightened monitoring as the volcano remains under Alert Level 3.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the minor strombolian activity began at 6:58 p.m., producing bursts of incandescent lava from the volcano’s crater.
The latest activity followed two lava effusions recorded Wednesday night as Mayon reached its 170th day of effusive eruption, indicating continued volcanic unrest.
Despite the eruption remaining relatively minor, authorities stressed that Alert Level 3 (high level of volcanic unrest) remains in effect.
Residents and visitors are strictly prohibited from entering the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the threat of sudden explosions, lava flows, rockfalls, pyroclastic density currents, and other volcanic hazards.
Civil aviation authorities have likewise been advised to keep aircraft away from the volcano’s summit, as volcanic ash from any sudden eruption could pose serious risks to aviation safety.
State volcanologists continue to closely monitor Mayon’s activity and urged communities near the volcano to remain vigilant and follow advisories issued by local disaster management authorities.
ia/xf
