Manila: More lava flowed out of the crater of a restive volcano in the eastern Philippines Saturday, a sign of intensifying activity, government volcanologists said.
According to reports, farmers have started returning to the foothills of Mayon, the country's most active volcano, despite the increasing flow of lava from the mountain.
The volcano continued to spew out fountains of ash into the sky amid a series of minor eruptions, heightening concerns that a major explosion could occur at any time. Tremors in the volcano also increased due to the enormous pressure of the ever-increasing amount of lava on its slopes.
The increasing tempo and force of volcanic activity as well as the reports farmers are returning to their farmlands has also forced the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to recommend increasing the perimeter of the so-called no man's land around the volcano.
Alert
"Since persistent high unrest is evident at present, the possibility of hazardous volcanic eruption is high. Thus, Phivolcs recommends that the six-kilometre radius Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano and the 7km Extended Danger Zone on the southeast flank of the volcano should be free from human activity because of sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows. In addition, areas in the south that are outside the seven kilometre danger zone but within eight kilometres of the crater should be extra alert for increased volcanic activity," a Phivolcs bulletin issued yesterday said.
Renato Solidum, head of Phivolcs said his agency is on alert for a possible hazardous eruption of the Mayon Volcano in Albay province, 360 kilometres south of Manila.
The institute said it recorded 197 earthquakes and 15 ash explosions overnight Saturday.
Phivolcs on Friday said it was considering raising alert level 4 over Albay at any time since the volcano might have a violent eruption within the next three to seven days.
"The important thing is that people should not be in those danger zones when a hazardous explosion happens," Solidum said.
The area in the danger zone at the foothills of Mount Mayon is a fertile area for growing vegetables and rearing livestock and many people from the evacuated villages were reported to be disobeying the government imposed restrictions and are creeping back to look after their crops and animals.
In the meantime, officials said the government is helpless in preventing the farmers from returning to their plots despite the imminent danger of an eruption.
— With inputs from Agencies
