Mayon volcano. Photo courtesy of Camalig Information Office.
Authorities kept Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 3 on Sunday as ashfall and volcanic activity continued to affect communities in Albay province.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said there was no significant change in the volcano’s overall condition following recent pyroclastic density currents.
It reported continued lava effusion, with flows extending several kilometers through different gullies around the volcano.
Phivolcs also recorded volcanic earthquakes, rockfall incidents, and short tremor events, along with elevated sulfur dioxide emissions and observed crater glow.
Volcano monitoring official Ma. Antonia Bornas said the latest activity was linked to the collapse of advancing lava in one of Mayon’s channels, which generated pyroclastic density currents.
She explained that instead of steadily advancing, part of the lava flow had weakened and collapsed, producing material that triggered the currents.
Disaster officials in Albay said ashfall had affected more than 120 villages across several towns and cities, with varying levels of impact reported.
Local authorities said evacuation centers remained in operation, while some areas suspended classes and work as precautionary measures amid ongoing volcanic activity.
