MAYON VOLCANO NOW UNDER ALERT LEVEL 2 AMID INCREASED ROCKFALL, SWELLING

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, raised the alert status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 following a sustained increase in volcanic unrest marked by ground swelling and intensified rockfall activity.

In a bulletin, Phivolcs said the volcano’s current unrest is driven by shallow magmatic processes, which could lead to a hazardous magmatic eruption.

A total of 47 rockfall events were recorded on Wednesday, Dec. 31, marking the highest incidence in a single day  over the past year.

Phivolcs said an increased rockfall at Mayon Volcano has been a precursor to magmatic dome growth in the upper structure, similar to the conditions observed before its eruption in 2023.

Although the current unrest has not shown significant volcanic earthquakes or sulfur dioxide anomalies, the agency said ground deformation parameters have been continuously unusual for nearly 18 months, unlike the situation in 2023.

Based on EDM, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring, indicate that the Mayon edifice, particularly its eastern and northeastern slopes, has been swelling or inflating since June 2024.

Also, short-term swelling on the western and southwestern slopes began in May 2025.

Phivolcs said that persistent and increasing rockfall, coupled with long- to short-term swelling of the edifice, may indicate an increased chance of an eruption occurring at the summit of Mayon, and this could generate hazardous volcanic hazards that may impact surrounding communities.

The agency urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid entering the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from sudden explosions, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, landslides, and ballistic projectiles.

Local government units (LGUs) were advised to prepare for potential evacuations in communities within the PDC hazard zone if the unrest escalates and the alert level is raised further.

Pilots were also told not to fly close to the volcano’s summit, as ash and ballistic fragments from any sudden eruption can pose hazards to aircraft.