UP Ibalon Bicol

There are signs that Mayon Volcano in Albay is on the verge of an eruption. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) last week described magma to be rising on its rim and the build-up of the material continues.

“Phivolcs scientists are closely monitoring the volcano's abnormalities displayed by fluctuating incidence of volcanic quakes, sulfur gas emissions, building of a lava dome at the crater rim, crater glow, ash explosion and bulging of the volcano's edifice...

Scientists observed that sulfur dioxide gas emitted by the volcano continues to swing ranging from 252 to 206 tons per day the past three days. Instruments, however, failed to read sulfur gas emission rate on Wednesday because of cloudy skies on top of the volcano.” ---Vox Bikol /PNA (11/08/09, Arguelles, M

The alert level in the areas surrounding Mt. Mayon is kept at level 2. Series of tremors was felt in at the slopes. Police officers watching the 12 checkpoints around the volcano is inaccessible--- a 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast end. This has to be enforced to avoid injuries or death if explosions, lava flows, landslides and rockfalls occur. (Photo Credit: Norkfam) =0=

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