LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported “strombolian activity and short-lived lava fountaining” from Mayon Volcano on Sunday, May 3, signaling a dangerous escalation in the unrest of the country’s most active volcano.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), nearly 1,500 families have already sought refuge in evacuation centers to escape the immediate threats posed by the eruption. The impact of the volcanic activity has reached far beyond the immediate slopes, with more than 26,600 families across the province of Albay currently affected by heavy ashfall.
Earlier today, a collapse in the lava flow triggered a pyroclastic density current (PDC) along the volcano’s southwestern slopes. This event produced a fast-moving hot ash flow and a massive, thick ash plume that was clearly visible from the provincial capital of Legazpi City.
Authorities have strictly cautioned the public to stay out of the designated permanent danger zone, which covers a 6-kilometer radius around the volcano. Experts emphasized that this area remains highly susceptible to life-threatening landslides and lava flows. Mayon, which has erupted nearly 50 times over the last four centuries, last saw significant magmatic activity in June 2023, during which it spewed large volumes of lava and noxious gases.
The escalation has also prompted a response from the aviation sector. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a flight safety advisory on Sunday, alerting airlines of airspace restrictions above Manila. The regulator explained that this is a “precautionary measure is being enforced due to the potential hazards posed by volcanic ash, airborne particles, and sudden volcanic activity, which may affect aircraft engines, navigation systems, and overall flight safety.”
The Philippines is situated along the Ring of Fire, a vast belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean. This geological position makes the nation particularly prone to both frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity. Emergency response teams remain on high alert as the situation in Albay continues to develop.|
