Mayon Volcano’s activity intensified from December 2025 to early January 2026, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to raise alert levels as monitoring data showed increasing signs of unrest.
Throughout the entire month of December 2025, Mayon remained under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest. During this period, volcanologists observed moderate plume emissions, minimal rockfall events, and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) flux ranging from 300 to 600 tonnes per day.
These parameters suggested internal disturbances but not yet point to imminent eruptive activity.
A shift occurred on January 1, 2026, when the alert status was raised from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2. This escalation was driven by the repeated collapse of the unstable summit dome, which resulted in an increasing number and volume of rockfall events.
Alert Level 2 reflects the possible intrusion of magma at depth, an indication that volcanic processes were increased beneath the surface despite not yet being eruptive.
Monitoring data continued to show worsening conditions in the following days. And by January 6, 2026, authorities elevated Mayon’s status to Alert Level 3, citing clear signs of heightened magmatic activity.
These included lava dome collapses that generated hazardous pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) — fast-moving, superheated flows of volcanic material locally known as “uson.” The presence of PDCs marked a more dangerous phase of unrest, signaling that magma had intruded to shallow levels and raising the risk of a hazardous eruption.
As a precautionary measure, residents from three nearby villages were evacuated starting at 4:00 p.m. on the same day. These communities are located within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), therefore forced to leave their homes and seek temporary shelter.
Government monitoring and preparedness
The current administration, through the PHIVOLCS under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), continues to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of Mayon Volcano.
Instrumental surveillance includes seismic monitoring, ground deformation measurements, gas emission tracking, and visual observations, all aimed at detecting rapid changes in volcanic behavior.
PHIVOLCS also regularly updates and informs the public through their social media platforms via official advisories, press briefings, and data graphics, ensuring that communities, local government units, and disaster response agencies receive real-time information.
National and local government units have also coordinated closely to ensure timely evacuations, information dissemination, and preparedness measures in at-risk areas.
As Mayon’s activity remains elevated under Alert Level 3, officials urge the public to stay informed through official advisories and strictly observe safety protocols, particularly within the designated danger zones.
