The Philippines raised Mayon Volcano’s alert to Level 3 after an eruption sent ash toward nearby communities, prompting evacuation calls within six kilometers of the crater.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) described Friday’s eruption as moderately explosive and said it lasted nearly six minutes. The ash column reached 3,000 meters high and moved southwest toward populated areas.
Agence France Presse (AFP) reported no immediate casualties or damage in nearby towns. AFP also said more than 12,000 people living on Mayon’s lower slopes were moved to evacuation centers in June 2023 to protect them from ash and toxic gases.
The current Level 3 alert follows an earlier PHIVOLCS observation period at Level 2, covered in EconoTimes’ previous report on Mayon.
PHIVOLCS said the volcano had entered a magmatic phase, with lava flows and pyroclastic density currents possible on its upper and middle slopes over the coming days or weeks. It urged local officials to evacuate people near the crater, citing the risks of those flows, falling rocks and other volcanic hazards. The agency also advised planes to avoid flying close to Mayon.
