Phivolcs raises Alert Level 2 over Mayon

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 due to persistent increases in rockfall activity coupled with long- to short-term swelling of the volcano’s edifice, indicating a higher chance of eruption.

Under Alert Level 2, the public is strongly advised to remain vigilant and refrain from entering the six-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from sudden explosions, pyroclastic density currents (PDC) or uson, rockfall, landslides, and ballistic projectiles.

DOST-PHIVOLCS also urged civil aviation authorities to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit, as ash and ballistic fragments from any sudden eruption could pose hazards to aircraft.

According to the agency, visual and seismic monitors from the Mayon Volcano Network have recorded increasing rockfall from the summit lava dome since November, with a total of 599 rockfall events, averaging about 10 occurrences per day.

In the last week of December, however, the average number of rockfall events rose to 21 per day, with 47 incidents recorded on December 31, 2025 alone.

“Increased rockfall at Mayon has been a precursory sign of magmatic dome growth within the upper edifice preceding an eruption, similar to conditions before the 2023 eruption,” DOST-PHIVOLCS said in a statement.

The agency noted that the current unrest has not shown significant volcanic earthquake activity or sulfur dioxide anomalies. However, it observed swelling on the volcano’s eastern to northeastern slopes since June 2024.

DOST-PHIVOLCS also detected short-term swelling or inflation on the western to southwestern slopes that began in May 2025.