Philippines on alert as two most active volcanoes stir
Manila, June 6 (EFE).- Increased seismic activity of two of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, Taal and Mayon, in recent hours are keeping authorities and residents of surrounding areas on alert.
Both volcanoes sit on the island of Luzon, where capital Manila is located, and are close to large cities.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned on Tuesday of increased seismic activity and sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal volcano, in the province of Batangas (about 80 kilometers from Manila).
In his daily report to the media, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol advised residents of the localities and settlements surrounding Taal not to leave their houses and to close their doors and windows.
While the alert level of Taal remains at one (out of a maximum of five), Bacolcol has not ruled out raising it to two if the increase in toxic gases and seismic activity persists.
About 400 kilometers away in Albay province, Mayon volcano – situated 11.2 km from the city of Legazpi, with more than 200,000 residents – also shows signs of possible eruption.
Phivolcs, which raised Mayon’s alert level from one to two on Monday amid the increased frequency of falling volcanic rocks at the summit, on Tuesday urged farmers that work the land around the volcano not to approach it.
Also Monday, Philippines airport authorities banned aircraft from flying within 3 km of the volcanoes.
The last eruptions of Taal and Mayon, in 2020 and 2018 respectively, forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people and kept residents of Manila and Legazpi on alert for several days. EFE
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