Volcanic Update: PhilippinesLast updated 04:25pm (Mla time) 08/30/2006
LEGAZPI CITY -- The sulfur dioxide (S02) emission of the rumbling Mayon Volcano abruptly increased to 9,733 tons on Wednesday from Tuesday's 3,864 tons.
The volcano's S02 emission is one of the parameters being monitored to establish the eruption pattern of the volcano.
Mt. Mayon's normal S02 emission rate is pegged at 500 tons daily.
The abrupt increase in the S02 emission rate was due to the degassing of magma after the two series of explosions recorded during the 24-hour observation period, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
The two explosions that occurred at 8:58 a.m. and 1:47 p.m. on Tuesday produced grayish 500-meter-high ash clouds from the summit, which drifted west-northwest.
There were 16 volcanic earthquakes, which Phivolcs said represented continuous movement of magma inside the volcano.
