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Report on Mayon (Philippines) — 9 September-15 September 2009


Mayon

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 9 September-15 September 2009
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2009. Report on Mayon (Philippines) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 9 September-15 September 2009. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (9 September-15 September 2009)

Mayon

Philippines

13.257°N, 123.685°E; summit elev. 2462 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


PHIVOLCS reported that 11 earthquakes from Mayon were detected during 14-15 September. Steam plumes drifted NW and ENE and the sulfur dioxide gas output decreased. Faint incandescence was observed at night. On 15 September, three ash explosions produced a brownish plume that rose no more than 700 m above the crater and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5). The 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the SE flank and the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) in all other areas remained in effect.

Geological Summary. Symmetrical Mayon, which rises above the Albay Gulf NW of Legazpi City, is the most active volcano of the Philippines. The steep upper slopes are capped by a small summit crater. Recorded eruptions since 1616 CE range from Strombolian to basaltic Plinian, with cyclical activity beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer term andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic flows and mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that radiate from the summit and have often damaged populated lowland areas. A violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200 people and devastated several towns.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)