Panayam kay Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol
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00:00 We now know the latest update on Mayon Volcano with PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol.
00:08 Dr. Bacolcol, good afternoon.
00:10 Good afternoon to you, ma'am, and thank you for having me here.
00:15 For now, what is the latest update on the volcanic activity of Mayon Volcano?
00:21 Mayon Volcano is still on alert level 2 and the phreatic eruption did not follow yesterday.
00:29 We have not witnessed any volcanic earthquakes.
00:34 In fact, for the past four days, we have only witnessed one volcanic earthquake.
00:41 Basically, Mayon is calm and is still on alert level 2.
00:46 Director, this is Chi.
00:48 Well, follow-up question.
00:50 How many minutes did the phreatic eruption of Mayon Volcano last?
00:56 The phreatic eruption last three minutes from 4.37 to 4.40 p.m.
01:04 That is the duration of three minutes.
01:08 Okay. Sir, what does the phreatic eruption mean?
01:13 What really happened yesterday?
01:15 Many people were affected because of the sudden and unexpected events.
01:19 Are these kinds of eruptions just random?
01:24 Is this happening unexpectedly?
01:27 Yes. Phreatic eruptions happen when hot materials come into contact with water.
01:34 It's like a pan, that's the analogy, that has hot oil and when you pour water, there will be steaming and producing sudden bursts.
01:43 Yesterday, we had hot rocks from last year's effusive eruption that were left in the mouth of the volcano.
01:51 When this is mixed with water, there will be steaming activity and phreatic eruption.
01:59 We cannot say when the phreatic eruption will happen.
02:04 As long as the ingredients are there, meaning you have hot volcanic materials coming into contact with water,
02:11 there can be a phreatic eruption.
02:14 Sir, is this a sign of a stronger eruption of Mayon Volcano?
02:19 This is not an indication or a sign that there will be a strong eruption of Mayon Volcano.
02:27 This is also not an indication that we need to raise the alert level from alert level 2 to alert level 3.
02:36 Okay. So now sir, is the 6-kilometer radius danger zone still maintained around Mayon?
02:44 Yes, we still maintain the 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone.
02:50 Even at alert level 0, we still recommend that no one should venture inside the permanent danger zone.
02:57 Sir, this is the eruption of Mayon. When will this happen again?
03:02 Please remind us, this is also a few months ago.
03:04 Until when do we expect this kind of alert level 2 to happen to Mayon Volcano?
03:11 Okay. So the last eruption before yesterday, we had an effusive eruption from June 11 last year to December 8.
03:23 That's also almost six months.
03:25 Now, until when would it stay on alert level 2?
03:30 There are parameters that we are looking at.
03:33 For example, will the volcanic earthquakes decrease, will the seismic energy release decrease, will the sulfur dioxide emissions decrease.
03:47 So those are the parameters that we are looking at.
03:51 Again, if there are significant changes, then we have to lower it to alert level 1.
03:56 But for now, we still maintain alert level 2.
03:59 Okay. Message and please remind our countrymen living near Mayon Volcano.
04:05 Okay. So let us remind our countrymen living near Mayon Volcano.
04:12 Mayon Volcano is on alert level 2, meaning moderate level of unrest.
04:17 So don't enter the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone because of the danger of rock falls, landslides.
04:25 And just like what happened yesterday, there was a sudden phreatic eruption.
04:30 This may lead to pyroclastic density current events or what we call as "bikulan" or "nauson" rushing down the slope.
04:40 So to avoid and be safe here, we should not enter the permanent danger zone, which is 6 kilometers.
04:46 Okay. Thank you very much for your time, Phoenix Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol.