The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday, 6 January, announced that it has raised the alert status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 following an increase in the number and volume of rockfall events.

Phivolcs said this means Mayon is currently exhibiting a magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome, with a higher likelihood of lava flows and hazardous pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), locally known as “uson,” affecting the upper to middle slopes of the volcano.

State volcanologists also warned that potential explosive activity within days or weeks remains possible.

Since 1 January, a total of 346 rockfall events and four volcanic earthquakes have been recorded. These events lasted from one to five minutes.

Phivolcs further noted that the volume of discrete rockfalls increased on Monday, 5 January, indicating a rise in the rate of dome growth and the onset of new lava extrusion at the crater.

In view of these developments, Phivolcs recommended the evacuation of the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone due to the threat of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

The agency also advised heightened vigilance against PDCs, lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the volcano.

Civil aviation authorities were likewise reminded to caution pilots against flying close to the volcano’s summit, as ash from any sudden eruption could pose a hazard to aircraft.