Phivolcs warns several municipalities in Albay to expect ashfall, following the ‘moderately explosive’ Mayon Volcano eruption on Friday, October 30

MANILA, Philippines – State volcanologists raised the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 on Friday, October 30, after a “moderately explosive” eruption occurred at 11:53 am.

This means the volcano is in “a new phase of magmatic eruption,” according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Friday’s eruption generated an ash plume 3,000 meters or 3 kilometers high above Mayon’s crater. Phivolcs warned the municipalities of Daraga, Camalig, and Guinobatan in Albay to expect ashfall.

In the coming days and weeks, Phivolcs said there will also be “increased chances” of lava flows and hazardous pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) — locally known as uson — affecting the volcano’s upper to middle slopes.

PDCs are made up of fragmented volcanic particles, gases, and ash that travel down volcanic slopes at high speeds. They can destroy or burn anything in their path, with temperatures generally ranging between 200°C and 700°C, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Phivolcs recommended evacuation from the 6-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone surrounding Mayon, citing possible PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

“Increased vigilance against [PDCs], lahars, and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised,” added the agency.

There have been several changes in Mayon’s alert level in 2026.

Last January 1, the volcano was raised from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2, then raised further to Alert Level 3 on January 6.

It stayed under Alert Level 3 for around seven months, until it was lowered to Alert Level 2 on August 5, a level it maintained until Friday’s eruption.

The alert levels range from 0 (quiet) to 5 (hazardous eruption in progress). – Rappler.com