Mayon activity baffles scientists

By Johana Vi E. Gasga
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 16:17:00 07/19/2009

Filed Under: Disasters (general), Local authorities, Military


LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- Mayon Volcano is not showing signs of increased or decreased activity, baffling scientists who have warned last week that an eruption was forthcoming.

"The dilemma right now is that Mayon is not showing any sign of significant information, if it is going up or down. It has maintained its behavior during the past week," volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta said on Sunday.

Volcanologists maintained alert level 2 on Mayon Volcano as of Sunday, Laguerta said, meaning there was "moderate unrest," and that ash explosions were possible.

However, Laguerta said that at any time, smaller explosions -- which some volcanologists call "throat clearing" -- could lead to a big explosion.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has monitored up to 14 earthquakes around Mayon per day, Laguerta said, adding the tremors were "common" for an "abnormal" volcano like Mayon.

"There was no new intrusion of molten materials or magma to the surface," he added.

The military-led Task Force Mayon continued its information drive on Mayon among residents. Rescue personnel had been making an inventory of residents who live within the six-kilometer radius of the volcano, which is a permanent danger zone.

Fifteen M-35 trucks, which can load 30 persons each, were placed on standby at Camp Simeon Ola here, said Captain Razaleigh G. Bansawan, spokesperson of the 901st Infantry Battalion.

Army troops inspected the lava front in Mabinit village on Saturday, Bansawan said.

The military and the police have been conducting checkpoints in 12 villages in key cities and towns in Albay province surrounding the six-km danger zone, the spokesman said.

These include the villages of Budiao, Bañadero, Salvacion and Matnog in Daraga town; Quirangay in Camalig town; Mabinit in Legazpi City; San Andres in Sto. Domingo town; Mayon Skyline Park in Tabaco City; and upland villages of Guinobatan and Polangui towns and Ligao City.

"We are also expecting five military vehicles from the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force in case we need to make urgent rescue operations," said Bansawan.