Compared to Mount Pinatubo in Zambales, Mount Mayon’s imminent eruption scenario would be “safer”, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Renato Solidum said Monday.

Solidum said this is because of the difference in the type of magma or rocks deposited in the two volcanoes.

“Pinatubo's magma is more vicious and traps more gas than Mayon,” Solidum told the Manila Bulletin.

Solidum said Mayon’s possible eruption would not be in the scale and intensity of Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991, considered the second largest eruption of the 20th century worldwide, although Mayon’s current activity is more energetic than when it erupted in 2006.

Pinatubo had been dormant for 400 years when it erupted in 1991 while Mayon has had recent eruptions, most notably in 2006 and 2001.

Solidum said Mayon’s impending eruption could be similar to its past eruptions where lava flows and explosions generating ash columns and pyroclastic flows occurred like in 2001.

“Currently lava flows continue and detachment of parts of it can generate pyroclastic flows,” the chief of the state-run Phivolcs explained.

“A scenario similar to recent eruptions like in 2001. The current activity is more energetic than 2006,” Solidum said when asked if the imminent eruption would be more explosive than previous eruptions of the near perfect-cone shaped volcano.

Phivolcs on Sunday raised the alert level of Mayon to Level 4 which indicates that an eruption is imminent.

It is a level away from the maximum alert level of 5 which means an eruption is under way.

It was raised to Level 3 last Monday after being on alert Level 2 since July 10 this year.

According to the Mayon Volcano Bulletin no. 8 released at 7 a.m., seismic activities of the volcano in Legaspi, Albay escalated during the past 24-hour observation period.

“Seismic activity dramatically increased in number and size. A total of 1,942 volcanic earthquakes were detected by the seismic network. Many of these volcanic earthquakes were recorded at maximum deflection and continually occurred beginning at 1221H Monday.

Harmonic tremors were also continuously recorded,” Phivolcs said. “Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate remained very high at 6,089 tons per day.”

“Audible booming and rumbling sounds were first reported in the eastern flank of the volcano at about 1455H then occasionally occurred beginning 2200H last night. Intensified crater glow and rolling down of incandescent lava fragments from the crater was also persistent,” the Phivolcs report said.

Red hot lava also continuously flowed down along the Bonga-Buyuan, Miisi, and Lidong gullies.

“Lava fountains rising approximately 200 meters above the crater were observed at 2007H, 2008H and 2018H. The lava front has now reached about 5 kilometers downslope from the summit along the Bonga-Buyuan gullies,” Phivolcs reported.

Meanwhile, health officials warned against the possible surge of conjunctivitis, commonly called “sore eyes”, among people residing near the volcano due to volcanic particulates and gases that may cause eye irritation.

Dr. Franklin Diza, medical specialist IV and program manager of violence and injury prevention section of the Department of Health, warned that small particulates may be carried by the wind even to far places and may still cause eye irritation.

“Sore eyes is caused either by viral or bacterial means. There is a third cause which is the entry of foreign body. The imminent eruption of Mayon entails the release of dangerous gases as well as volcanic particles. The large particles may only settle near the volcano but the finer ones can reach farther places because of the wind and it may enter the eyes that may cause sore eyes,” Diza said.

According to the DoH, sore eyes or conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the thin covering of the eyeball and the inner eyelid.

It is characterized by redness of the eye, eye discomfort including burning feeling, abnormal vision particularly upon waking up, pain on the eye upon exposure to light, and water-like discharge. Runny nose and sore throat may also be present.

“Wear glasses that will protect the eyes and act as barrier against foreign bodies. The glasses should cover the entire eyes. Upon returning home, wash your clothes and take a bath immediately to remove particles that may have settled on your hair, skin and clothes as these may trigger an asthma attack,” he said.

Diza also warned against gases emitted by the volcano. He said some of these gases have a burning effect.

Experts said dangerous gases emitted by volcanoes include carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, radon, hydrogen chloride, hydrofluoric acid, and sulfuric acid.

Once inhaled, these gases may cause anoxia, a state where oxygen is low that can lead to mental confusion, hallucination and amnesia among other conditions.

Malacañang for its part assured that the government’s “high-level” preparations are under way.

Presidential economic spokesperson Gary Olivar said even though President Arroyo is on a three-day vacation with her family Hong Kong, she is “on top of the situation” and is keenly monitoring the restive Mayon situation.

He said there is no new instruction from the President but she has directed concerned agencies to mobilize resources to extend support to the evacuees numbering more than 40,000.

The Army together with the Albay health emergency response team had jointly evacuated all sick and disabled persons living within the 6-8 kilometer danger zone of Mayon Volcano while troops intensified patrol operations to enforce a round-the-clock ban on villagers living in the area.

Capt. Razaleigh Bansawan of the 901st Brigade and Task Force Mayon spokesman said a team of soldiers and medical personnel headed by Dr. Eric Raborar, along with two military vehicles and two ambulances were sent to Barangays Mabinit, Bonga, Matanag and Buyuan of Legazpi City to evacuate disabled and sick persons.

“This is part of the imposition of ‘No Human Activities Policy’ of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Jr. as the alert level of Mayon was raised to level 4 on Monday afternoon,” Bansawan said.

AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said there are now two battalions composed of around 1,000 soldiers deployed in the area. (With reports from Charissa M. Luci and Elena L. Aben)