SIGNS OF AN

IMPENDING VOLCANIC
ERUPTION

Beverly S. Barro, LPT

1. Increase in the
frequency of
volcanic quakes
with rumbling
sounds
2. Increased steaming activity
3. Crater glow
due to
presence of
magma at or
near the crater
4. Ground
swelling (or
inflation), ground
tilting and
ground fissuring
5. Localized
landslides, rock
falls and
landslides from
the summit area
not attributable
to heavy rains
6. Noticeable
increase in the extent
of drying up of
vegetation around
the volcano's upper
slopes
7. Increase in the
temperature of
hot springs, wells
and crater lake
near the volcano
8. Noticeable
variation in the
chemical content of
springs, crater lakes
within the vicinity
of the volcano
9. Drying up of
springs/wells
around the
volcano.
10. Development of new
thermal areas and/or
reactivation of old ones.
 What are the importance of
observing the various signs of
an impending volcanic
eruption?
1. for evacuation purposes
2. to minimize injuries
3. to minimize casualties
The assessment of a volcano’s status
(if it is quiet or in normal state, in
state of unrest, expected to erupt,
erupting) is based on the different
parameters that can be observed.
 Different Parameters
Assessed in a Volcano’s
Status
PARAMETERS EQUIPMENT / INSTRUMENT / TOOLS
• Ground • Precise engineering methods of surveying
deformation using the instrument Electronic Distance
Meter (EDM) to measure accurately to
millimeter changes on ground (if the slope
for the volcano swells
• Swelling of the ground surface can be
detected by using precision instruments and
techniques that measure minute changes in
slope, distance, or elevation at the ground
surface.
PARAMETERS EQUIPMENT / INSTRUMENT / TOOLS
• Deformation on ground is also
measured using data of repeated
measurements from permanent Global
Positioning System (GPS) installed
around the volcano.
• Use of Remote sensing images also
help compare before and after features.
PARAMETERS EQUIPMENT / INSTRUMENT / TOOLS

• Geochemistry • Direct measurement of temperature

and chemistry ground water, spring
water or lakes (using a thermometer
/thermocouple, pH meter)
• Gas being emitted by volcanic can be
measured directly by gas monitoring
equipment.
PARAMETERS EQUIPMENT / INSTRUMENT / TOOLS

• Collect gas and water samples from

vents and fumaroles and analyze in the
laboratory (X-Ray Flourescence XRF)
• Remote monitoring Gas monitoring
equipment (COSPEC- correlation
spectrometer or FlySPEC/ ScanDOAS
for SO2; and CO2 flux meter for CO2)
PARAMETERS EQUIPMENT / INSTRUMENT / TOOLS

• Seismic • Seismometer is the

activity/ equipment used to detect
Seismicity/ occurrence of volcanic
volcanic earthquakes
earthquakes
People dwelling near a
volcano usually observe its
strange activities.
• Intensified steaming activity
• What used to be white steam slowly or drastically change to
gray to dark (suggests increasing presence of ash)
• Drying up of vegetation, drying up of streams, water wells
• Crater glow at the summit area
• Increasing frequency of rolling rocks from the summit;
localized landslides not related to heavy rains
• Summit area appears to glow or becomes incandescent at
night
Visual observations
• Hear rumbling sounds

Auditory
• Smell of sulfur (rotten eggs).

Olfactory
• Ground movement/ volcanic
earthquake increasingly become
felt

Tactile
 Volcano Alert Levels
and
Volcano Hazard Maps
 MAYON VOLCANO ALERT SIGNALS

Alert Level Main Criteria Interpretation/Recommendations

0 Quiet. All monitored parameters within No eruption in foreseeable future. Entry

No Alert background levels. in the 6-km radius Permanent Danger
Zone (PDZ) is not advised because
phreatic explosions and ash puffs may
occur without precursors.

1 Low level unrest. Slight increase in No eruption imminent. Activity may be

Abnormal seismicity. Slight increase in SO2 gas hydrothermal, magmatic or tectonic in
output above the background level. Very origin. No entry in the 6-km radius PDZ.
faint glow of the crater may occur but no
conclusive evidence of magma ascent.
Phreatic explosion or ash puffs may
occur.
 MAYON VOLCANO ALERT SIGNALS
Alert Level Main Criteria
2 Moderate unrest. Low to moderate
Increasing Unrest level of seismic activity. Increasing
SO2 flux. Faint/intermittent crater
glow. Swelling of edifice may be
detected. Confirmed reports of
decrease in flow of wells and springs
during rainy season.
3 Relatively high unrest. Volcanic
Increased Tendency Towards quakes and tremor may become
Hazardous Eruption more frequent. Further increase in
SO2 flux. Occurrence of rockfalls in
summit area. Vigorous steaming /
sustained crater glow. Persistent
swelling of edifice.
Interpretation/Recommendations
Unrest probably of magmatic origin;
could eventually lead to eruption. 6-
km radius Danger Zone may be
extended to 7 km in the sector where
the crater rim is low.
Magma is close to the crater. If trend
is one of increasing unrest, eruption is
possible within weeks. Extension of
Danger Zone in the sector where the
crater rim is low will be considered.
 MAYON VOLCANO ALERT SIGNALS
Alert Level Main Criteria
4 Intense unrest. Persistent tremor,
Hazardous many “low frequency”-type
Eruption earthquakes. SO2 emission level may
Imminent show sustained increase or abrupt
decrease. Intense crater glow.
Incandescent lava dome, lava
fountain, lava flow in the summit
area.
5 Hazardous eruption ongoing.
Hazardous Occurrence of pyroclastic flows, tall
Eruption eruption columns and extensive
ashfall.
Interpretation/Recommendations
Hazardous eruption is possible within
days. Extension of Danger zone to 8
km or more in the sector where the
crater rim is low will be
recommended.
Pyroclastic flows may sweep down
along gullies and channels, especially
along those fronting the low part(s) of
the crater rim. Additional danger
areas may be identified as eruption
progresses. Danger to aircraft, by way
of ash cloud encounter, depending on
height of eruption column and/or
wind drift.
Note: For each of the Alert Level, there should be a
corresponding action coming from authorities.

• The Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) for volcanoes is a

delineated and identified where no permanent
habitation is recommended due to the possible impact
of various hazards at any time
Volcano hazard maps illustrate potential
for ground-based volcanic impacts—lava
flows, pyroclastic flows, ashfall, volcanic
gases, and more far-reaching hazards
(such as lahars) in valleys that drain the
volcano.
Before:
 Consult available volcano hazard maps
that indicate areas declared as
permanent danger zones (PDZs) and
areas likely to be affected by different
volcanic hazards.
Before:
 Be aware of the kinds of volcanic
hazards present in your area. Determine
the distance of your residence,
workplace and livelihood (farms, etc.)
from the volcano.
Before:
 Be aware of the meanings of Alert
Levels, and recommended actions.
Before:
 Be aware of community efforts such as
identified evacuation areas as well as
designated pick up points .
Before:
 Stock enough non-perishable off and
potable water. Cooking fuel, emergency
light,/ flashlight, whistle, battery operated
radio, medicines, first-aid kit, dust mask,
should be made part of your emergency kit.
Before:
 Always listen to the radio’s latest
PHIVOLCS Alerts and information.
 Heed the advise of community leaders
or LGUs about evacuation procedures.
During:
 Stay inside the house or evacuation area. Do not
go sightseeing.
Listen to the radio for advise and information.
If you are outside and very near the volcano, leave
the area immediately. If caught in ashfall or tephra
fall, seek shelter immediately. Sometimes, pieces of
rocks may be hot, seek care for burns right away.
During:
Do not drive. If you must drive, keep the car
windows up and do not operate the air conditioning
system as this will bring in ash from outside.
Check that your pet or livestock have enough food.
Do not try to clean or shovel the ashfall during
eruptions.
During:
 Protect yourself from ashfall.
I. Close windows and doors to stop the ash from
entering the house.
II. Turn off all electric fans and air conditioning units.
III. Wear dust-mask or cover your face with clean wet
towel or cloth to prevent ash from irritating the eyes
and entering the respiratory track.
IV. Better to use bottled water. If you must use tap
water, always boil water first before using.
After:
 Listen to the latest update about Alert Levels, other
information from the radio.
 Cook food thoroughly.
If the family has evacuated during the eruption, only the
adult members of the family should be allowed to go
home to inspect the house condition.
Only when local authorities- the LGUs have declared that
it is safe to go home that the family should return
After:
 How to clean up an ashfall
I. As soon as the ashfall has stopped, remove
the ash immediately.
II. Wear dust mask before you start cleaning.
III. The recommended method to clean the ash
is to lightly damp the ash so that it does not
billow when swept.
After:
 How to clean up an ashfall
IV. Clean house roofs first, to prevent damage to gutters and
down-pipes.
V. Do not dump ash in sewage systems.
V. Inside the house, use damp cloth to remove ash. Avoid
vigorous rubbing as ash particles are very abrasive.
VI. To remove ash from your car, wash with plenty of water.