Mayon Volcano continued to emit lava and poisonous gas with at least four sporadic lava fountaining episodes on Sunday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in its 8 a.m. bulletin on Monday that four lava fountaining events were recorded from 5:36 a.m. and 7:47 p.m. on Sunday.
The lava fountaining events lasted 36 to 57 minutes, which fed lava flows onthe Mi-isi and Bonga gullies, sprayed near-event lava spatter and rockfall on the summit.
“The lava fountaining events were succeeded by lava effusion in the early morning that fed new lava flow on the Bonga and Miisi Gullies,” PHIVOLCS said.
Lahar flowed from the volcano’s lava-filled Binaan Channel due to heavy rain that lasted until early Monday, the agency added.
The PHIVOLCS also recorded 41 volcanic earthquakes, six tremors that accompanied the lava fountaining events, and 16 rockfall events.
It said Mayon Volcano’s lava flow has advance to three kilometers in the Miisi Gully and 1.8 kilometers in the Bonga Gully, well within the seven-kilometer permanent danger zone.
Alert Level 4 remains in effect on the volcano, which means there is a possibility of hazardous eruption.
The volcano has also been emitting an average of 1,916 tonnes of sulfur dioxide a day.
According to the United States Geological Survey, sulfur dioxide is colorless with a pungent odor that irritages skin and penetrates the eyes, nose and throat.
It can bring health problems particularly to those with lung diseases.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Sunday reported that nearly 2,000 people in Albay already have acute respiratory infection.