On Monday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Alert Level 3 over Mayon Volcano due to "a noticeable escalation of unrest."
In its 10 p.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said aside from rockfall and volcanic earthquakes monitored during the day, crater glow was also observed, which indicated "incandescence of the crater from molten lava and hot volcanic gas."
Level 3 status means that the volcano is "showing relatively high unrest and that magma is at the crater." A "hazardous eruption" is possible within weeks, Phivolcs stressed.
Philvolcs warned that the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the seven-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank should be enforced due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.
"Phivolcs maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders," the agency said.
Albay disaster officials are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss safety measures and evacuation procedures for the residents living near the volcano.
Phivolcs said if activity at the volcano continues to escalate, it may upgrade the alert status to Level 4.
Last August 15, Phivolcs raised Alert Level 2 for the volcano. —with reports from Thea Omelan, ABS-CBN Legazpi and Dharel Placido, ABS-CBNnews.com
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