Mayon Volcano raised to Alert Level 3 after eruption

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, as well as adjacent towns, to expect ashfall.

Play Video 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…