The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert status of the Mayon Volcano to Level 1 after observing an increased level of activity.
In an advisory released Sunday, PHIVOLCS placed the Mayon Volcano at Low-Level Unrest from Alert Level 0 or Normal as it exhibits “abnormal conditions.”
The raised alert comes after observations from global positioning systems (GPS), precise leveling (PL), and electronic tilt and electronic distance meter (EDM) monitoring.
Under Alert Level 1, the public is urged to avoid entering the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to higher chances of sudden stream-driven or phreatic eruption.
The PHIVOLCS also warned of rockfalls, avalanches, and ash bursts at the summit area, which may happen without warning.
It also cautioned residents of nearby valleys and active river channels to remain vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars should there be heavy rainfall.
“These observation parameters indicate that volcanic gas-induced pressurization at the shallow depths of the edifice may be occurring, causing the summit dome of Mayon to be pushed out,” the advisory read.
Mayon is the most active of the Philippines’ volcanoes and last erupted in 2018.
