State volcanologists on Tuesday raised the status of Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 3, citing an “increased tendency toward a hazardous eruption” after the collapse of its summit lava dome triggered dangerous volcanic flows.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) upgraded the alert level at 1:20 p.m. on January 6, 2026, after monitoring the onset of dome-collapse pyroclastic density currents (PDC), locally known as uson.
These are fast-moving, lethal mixtures of hot gas, ash, and volcanic fragments that sweep down the volcano’s slopes.
Under Alert Level 3, the volcano is considered to be in a high level of unrest as magma is near or at the surface. PHIVOLCS warned that a hazardous eruption could occur within weeks or even days.
The decision to raise the alert followed a significant spike in volcanic activity. In the 24 hours leading up to the announcement, state seismologists recorded 85 rockfall events—nearly double the 44 events reported the previous day.
On Monday night, cameras captured incandescent rockfalls, indicating that hot, newly erupted volcanic material was being shed from the summit.
With the higher alert level, the following safety measures and risks are now in effect:
• Expanded Danger Zone: Authorities may expand the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) up to a radius of seven or eight kilometers from the crater.
• Evacuation Readiness: Residents within the expanded danger zones are advised to prepare for immediate evacuation should activity escalate further.
• Aviation Warning: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has extended a flight ban around Mayon, prohibiting aircraft from flying near the summit due to the risk of sudden ash eruptions.
• Lahar Threat: PHIVOLCS also warned of potential lahars or volcanic mudflows in the event of heavy rainfall.
Mayon had been under Alert Level 2 since January 1, following a sharp increase in rockfall events and continued swelling, or inflation, of the volcanic edifice.
Local disaster officials in Albay are currently coordinating to ensure the safety of communities surrounding the volcano, which is one of the most active in the Philippines.