Mayon Volcano now at Alert Level 3 amid rising lava, rockfall events

MANILA, Philippines — Mayon Volcano’s heightened activity prompted state seismologists to raise its status to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday, July 6, Phivolcs reported.

Alert Level 3 indicates an increased tendency toward hazardous eruptions, after Phivolcs observed magmatic eruptions at the summit lava dome, along with a higher likelihood of lava flows and dangerous pyroclastic density currents.

On Monday, Mayon Volcano released pyroclastic density currents down the Bonga Gully at 12:26 p.m. after newly extruded lava collapsed at the summit. The event lasted about three minutes and reached up to two kilometers from the crater. 

Increased magma activity

Sulfur dioxide emissions remain at baseline levels. Phivolcs said its analysis indicates that existing parameters point to the “very slow extrusion of shallow, degassed magma,” which is gradually increasing in rate, with an effusive magmatic eruption ongoing.

The latest escalation follows Phivolcs' decision to raise Mayon’s alert from Level 1 to Level 2 on January 1, after monitoring a growing number and volume of rockfall events.

Spike in rockfalls

In less than a week, state seismologists recorded a total of 346 rockfall events and four volcanic earthquakes since January 1. This compares with 599 rockfall events recorded over two months, from November to December 2025.

The rockfall events reportedly lasted one to five minutes, transporting lava debris within a kilometer of the volcano’s southern upper slopes. 

“The volume of discrete rockfall, with observed incandescence at nighttime, increased yesterday, signaling an increase in the rate of dome growth and the onset of extrusion of new lava at the crater,” Phivolcs said. 

Evacuation. Residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone around Mayon Volcano are advised to evacuate due to its heightened activity, the state seismology bureau said.

Phivolcs also warned that ashfall is likely on the volcano’s southern slopes, based on current prevailing wind patterns, and urged the public to remain vigilant and follow updates from the agency.