Spatiotemporal Modeling of Lava Dome Evolution of Mt. Mayon during its 2023 Eruption using Remote Sensing Data

Abstract. Numerous lava dome construction and destruction processes were observed during the 2023 Mayon Volcano activity from 08 June until 08 December. Studying the lava dome development cycle of active volcanoes similar to Mayon Volcano is crucial because destruction phases of lava domes are associated with the generation of pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and rockfalls. Since ground surveys to study the summit lava dome are dangerous, thermal satellite images were utilized to determine the evolution of the lava dome during the 2023 eruption. Bands 7-6-5 of Landsat 8/9 and bands 12-11-8A of Sentinel-2 were acquired to construct false-color images of Mayon during its 2023 eruption. Images with clear thermal anomalies were selected to illustrate and construct an imagery time-lapse of the lava dome processes during the eruption. From the selected satellite images as well as reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), five constructive phases and four destructive phases were identified from 20 August 2022 to 08 December 2023. The constructive phases were marked by the slow growth of the lava dome, whereas the destructive phases were associated with lava flows and PDCs resulting from lava dome collapse. As the dome is completely shed, a new one emerges, repeating the cycle.