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Report on Mayon (Philippines) — 6 September-12 September 2006


Mayon

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 6 September-12 September 2006
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2006. Report on Mayon (Philippines) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 6 September-12 September 2006. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (6 September-12 September 2006)

Mayon

Philippines

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Seismic activity and lava extrusion from Mayon decreased during 6-12 September. Steam plumes from the summit crater drifted mainly W, N, and E. Ground-deformation measurements showed an overall deflation. On 11 September, the Alert Level was lowered from 4 to 3 (scale is 0-5, 0 referring to No Alert status).

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 periods of andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic density currents 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.

Sources: News Balita, Reuters, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)