More restive Mayon Volcano seen as sulfur emissions hit record high
Mayon Volcano in the Philippines has recorded its highest sulfur dioxide emissions in 26 years, signaling a potential shift toward a more explosive eruption phase. Authorities are maintaining Alert Level 3 as seismic activity and rockfalls continue.
Why it matters
Volcanic activity poses a direct threat to local populations and requires ongoing monitoring to prevent humanitarian disasters.
Mayon Volcano (INQUIRER FILES) LIGAO CITY, Albay - Mayon Volcano may be nearing a more explosive phase after sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions reached its highest level in 26 years on Saturday, prompting state volcanologists to warn of possible changes in the volcano's ongoing eruption.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Mayon emitted an average of 13,128 metric tons of volcanic SO2 per day on Saturday, July 11, based on campaign ultraviolet spectrometry measurements.
It said the emission was the highest recorded from the volcano in the past 26 years and only slightly lower than levels measured during Mayon's explosive 2000 eruption.
The elevated SO2 emissions, Phivolcs said, could indicate a change in eruptive behavior and "even lead to explosive eruption."
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