Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Mayon Volcano in Albay continues to stay at Alert Level 3 after 23 consecutive days of effusive eruptions, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Friday.
Authorities reiterated that entry into the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited to ensure public safety.
Phivolcs reported on Thursday that the volcano “generated incandescent lava flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDC) or ‘uson,’ and rockfall,” with lava flows reaching “radial distances from the crater of ~3.7km in the Basud (east), ~1.6km in the Bonga (southeast), and ~1.3km in the Mi-isi Gullies as of 29 January 2026.”
In the 24 hours up to midnight on Friday, the agency recorded 21 volcanic earthquakes, 351 rockfall events, and 64 pyroclastic density currents at Mayon.
Observations also showed that the volcano emitted a plume reaching 1,000 meters above the crater and released 1,474 tons of sulfur dioxide, drifting northwest and west-southwest.
Phivolcs warned that residents and visitors may face hazards including rockfalls, landslides, avalanches, lava flows, fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, and moderate-sized explosions.
The agency added that lahars can occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in river channels and slopes surrounding the volcano.
Authorities continue to monitor Mayon’s activity closely, urging communities near the volcano to follow safety protocols and remain alert to potential volcanic hazards.