By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has reported a significant increase in sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from Mayon Volcano, reaching the highest level recorded in the past 16 years, signaling intensified volcanic activity despite a decline in lava effusion.
In an advisory issued Friday night, the agency said campaign spectrometry measurements showed SO₂ emissions averaged 4,569 tonnes per day on July 9 before surging to 7,475 tonnes per day on July 10, the highest emission rate recorded.
“The current emission is more than three times higher than the average 2,300 tonnes per day recorded since the start of the ongoing eruption on Jan. 6, 2026,” the advisory said.
Mayon remains under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified unrest or magmatic activity with ongoing lava effusion.
Based on Phivolcs’ latest 24-hour monitoring bulletin released Saturday, lava continued to flow through the Basud Gully up to 3.8 km., Bonga Gully up to 3.2 km., and Mi-isi Gully up to 2.1 km. from the summit.
The volcano also generated 10 volcanic earthquakes, 241 rockfall events, and six pyroclastic density current signals during the monitoring period.
A fair crater glow was visible at night, while the volcanic plume remained obscured by clouds.
Ground deformation data showed short-term deflation of the volcanic edifice, accompanied by short-term inflation on the northeastern flank, indicating continued movement of magma beneath the volcano.
The agency reiterated that the public must not enter the 6-km. Permanent Danger Zone due to the threat of lava flows, lava fountaining, rockfalls, pyroclastic density currents, ballistic fragments, and sudden explosions. (PNA)
