By Brian Campued
The alert level of Mayon Volcano has been raised from Level 2 to Level 3 on Tuesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), indicating the likelihood of a hazardous eruption.
This, as Phivolcs recorded an increasing number and volume of rockfall events from Mayon Volcano due to the repeated collapse at the volcano’s summit dome.
Since Mayon’s alert level was raised from Level 1 to Level 2 on Jan. 1, Phivolcs said that a total of 346 rockfall events and four volcanic earthquakes were recorded compared to 599 rockfall events reported from November to December 2025.
These rockfalls, lasting between one to five minutes, transported lava debris within 1 kilometer down the southern upper slopes of the volcano.
On Monday, Phivolcs noted increased incandescence from the summit dome, signaling an accelerated dome growth and the possible extrusion of new lava at the crater.
At 12:26 p.m. on Tuesday, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) were observed in the Bonga Gully (southeast), extending up to two kilometers from the crater.
While sulfur dioxide emissions remain at baseline levels, continuous Global Positioning System (GPS), tilt, and Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) monitoring indicate persistent inflation at Mayon’s eastern and southeastern slopes.
“The overall monitoring parameters indicate that very slow extrusion of shallow degassed magma is ongoing and is incrementally increasing in rate,” Phivolcs said.
“This means that Mayon is exhibiting magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome, with increased chances of lava flows and hazardous PDCs or ‘uson’ affecting the upper to middle slopes of the volcano and of potential explosive activity within days or weeks,” it added.
Residents are advised to evacuate the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) due to the danger of PDCs, potential lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards within the upper to middle slopes of Mayon Volcano.
Flying of aircraft close to the volcano’s summit is also prohibited, Phivolcs said.
“Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised,” it added.
Aside from preemptive evacuation of residents inside the 6-km PDZ, Albay Gov. Noel Rosal has directed all city, municipal, and barangay disaster risk reduction and management councils around Mayon Volcano to be in “highest alert and monitoring status”.
Rosal also ordered the Philippine National Police – Albay Provincial Office and Philippine Army to strictly enforce security measures around Mayon, such as the prohibition of entry and human activity inside the PDZ.
Classes in all levels for schools located inside the PDZ will be suspended, with alternative learning modalities to be implemented in schools whose facilities will be used as evacuation centers.
“The public are advised to remain alert and standby for official updates and further advisories from Phivolcs and local authorities,” Rosal said.
-jpv
