78 tremors recorded around Mayon

quote
Philippines: NDCC Update - Sitrep No. 19 Mayon Volcano update
Source: OOST-PHIVOLCS, OSVoJD. DOH, DepEd. OCORC-V. ALBAY PDCC. AFP. JTF MAYON. DPWH V I.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Alert Level 4 remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano which means that a hazardous eruption is possible within days. PHIVOLCS-DOST reiterates that the Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) from the summit of eight kms at the southern sector of the volcano and seven kms at the northern sector should be free from human activity

PHIVOLCS recommends that areas just outside the EOZ should prepare for evacuation in the event that hazardous explosive eruptions intensify; and active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar-prone in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall

PHIVOLCS further recommends that civil aviation authorities advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircraft
end quote

source
www.reliefweb.int...

A map of the area showing the zones can be found here
www.reliefweb.int...$File/map.pdf?OpenElement

quote
Restive Mayon Volcano calmed down a bit as it registered only one ash explosion Tuesday, but state volcanologists are not taking their chances.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said other signs still point to magma making its way up the volcano’s summit. Despite the decrease in volcanic activity, Mayon remains at alert level 4.
end quote

(The quiet before the storm, emissions are still high, vis.)

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate yielded an average value of 4,397 tonnes per day (t/d).
source
www.gmanews.tv...

Now we see both the thrill seeker and the truly stupid, it's one thing to be outside the listed danger area but quite another to hire local guides to get you inside the exclusion zone!

quote
Thrill-seeking tourists flock to Philippine volcano

(AFP) – 2 hours ago

LEGASPI, Philippines — Thousands of tourists are flocking to the Philippines' restive Mayon volcano with many even risking their lives to get close to the spectacular flowing lava, authorities said Wednesday.

Governor Joey Salceda, whose province of Albay includes Mayon, said 2,400 tourists a day had been pouring into the area since the famously active volcano started oozing lava on December 14, compared with about 200 a day before.

"All the hotels are fully booked, even the cheapest ones," Salceda told AFP.

He said that tourists typically only stayed overnight to view the crimson lava oozing from the volcano's crater in the dark.

"It is like a slow moving meteor show. You really feel awe when you see it."

(and)
There are enough thrill-seekers and, when you combine them with some enterprising local guides, they find their way in," he said.

The military heightened security around Mayon, about 330 kilometres (200 miles) southeast of Manila, on Monday after two foreign tourists were seen over the weekend riding all-terrain vehicles towards the volcano.
end quote
source
www.google.com...

Latest report, note the SO2 levels are down by 75%, this is not good, lava still flows and an explosive event is likely in the next few days.


Reports here
www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph...
Mayon Volcano Bulletin 18
31 December 2009
8:00 AM

For the past 24 hours, Mayon Volcano’s (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E) activity was characterized by extrusion of lava and rolling down of incandescent lava fragments along the Bonga gully. The summit of the volcano was obscured most of the time yesterday due to thick cloud cover. No ash explosion was observed during times of good visibility. Emission of very weak to moderate volume of white steam that drifted towards west- southwest was observed during clear views of the crater.

Seismic monitoring revealed the occurrence of 60 volcanic earthquakes. A total of 267 rock fall events related to the detachment of lava fragments at the volcano’s upper slopes was also detected by the seismic network. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate measurements yesterday yielded an average value of 1,158 tonnes per day (t/d). The volcano edifice remains inflated as indicated by the electronic tilt meter installed at the northeast sector of the volcano.

Update: Although not quiet the alert level allows those living near the volcanic slopes to return home.

quote
Following the lowering of Mayon Volcano’s alert level in Albay province, Governor Joey Salceda on Wednesday gave the go-signal for the 2,000 remaining evacuees to return to their homes.

"The PDCC-Albay hereby orders the full decampment of evacuees from Anoling, Camalig, and Bañadero, Daraga effective today," Salceda, concurrent chair of Albay’s Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), said in an emailed statement.

Earlier in the day, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology lowered Mayon’s alert status from Level 3 to 2 after noting the further decline in the overall activity of Mayon, the country’s most active volcano.

source
www.gmanews.tv...