10-27-09 -Legazpi City, Albay, PhilippinesPlans to move out up to 300,000 people were put in place in Albay starting Tuesday as the province went on high alert for a coming storm and possible lahar flow from the restive Mayon Volcano.
The Phivolcs bulletin on Tuesday showed an abrupt increase in the number of both low and high frequency earthquakes near Mayon during the past 24-hour observation period.
Laguerta said there were a total of 30 volcanic quakes which was way higher than the six earthquakes recorded during the past 48-hour observation period.
Mayon Volcano, 300 km southeast of Manila, showed crater glow that volcanologists measured at intensity 2 during visible observation periods (without clouds). Smoke was also seen coming out of its crater.
Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon with Phivolcs strongly recommending that the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone, including the 7-km Extended Danger Zones in the southeast flank, be off limits to any human activity due to threats from sudden explosions and rock fall from the volcano's upper slopes.
In August, scientists kept watch f
or a feared collapse of a portion of Mayon's crater, which holds an estimated 200,000 cubic feet of rocks.Mayon Volcano, famous for its nearly perfect conical shape, has a height of 2,462 meters above sea level.
The volcano, said to be the most active in the country, has erupted at least 50 times since 1616. Its worst eruption buried Cagsawa town and killed 1,200 people in 1814. An eruption in 1993 killed more than 70 farmers. Mayon erupted again in 2006.
“Santi is feared to affect electricity, water supply, bridges, schools, government and private facilities,” Daep said.
Daep said mud flows might displace at least 15,000 persons.
He added that flash floods have validated the location of areas that are threatened. These are in 116 villages. Storm surges threaten coastal areas, especially if the new storm passes through Albay. FULL STORY
