Philippine authorities have raised the alert level at Mount Mayon after a moderately explosive eruption sent a massive ash plume approximately 3,000 metres above the volcano’s crater on Friday, prompting warnings of further volcanic activity and calls for evacuations in nearby communities.

The eruption began at 11:53 a.m. local time and lasted nearly six minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The dense ash column drifted west-southwest, with ashfall expected in Daraga, Guinobatan, Camalig and other nearby communities in Albay province.

PHIVOLCS raised Mayon’s alert status from Level 2 to Level 3 on the country’s five-level scale, indicating an increased likelihood of a hazardous eruption.

The agency said the volcano had entered a new phase of magmatic activity, raising the possibility of lava flows and dangerous pyroclastic density currents — fast-moving avalanches of hot gas, ash and volcanic debris — affecting its upper and middle slopes in the coming days and weeks.

Authorities recommended the evacuation of residents within the six-kilometre Permanent Danger Zone around the crater, citing the risks of pyroclastic flows, lava, falling rocks and other volcanic hazards.

PHIVOLCS also warned communities downstream of the volcano to remain alert for lahars, or volcanic mudflows, and sediment-laden water flows, particularly during heavy rainfall. Pilots were advised to avoid flying near the summit because volcanic ash could pose a serious threat to aircraft.

The latest eruption follows months of elevated volcanic activity. PHIVOLCS had previously maintained Alert Level 3 for nearly seven months after raising it in January, before lowering the status to Level 2 in August as monitoring data showed a decline in unrest. The agency cautioned at the time that the downgrade did not mean volcanic activity had ended.

In its October 30 bulletin, the agency said it was continuing to closely monitor the volcano and would issue further updates as conditions developed. No immediate casualties or damage were reported following Friday’s eruption.

Standing 2,462 metres above sea level, Mayon is renowned for its nearly symmetrical cone and is one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes. It lies about 330 kilometres southeast of Manila.

In June 2023, more than 12,000 residents living on its lower slopes were evacuated as volcanic activity raised concerns over ashfall and hazardous gas emissions.

The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of intense tectonic activity.

One of the country's most devastating volcanic disasters in recent history occurred at Mount Pinatubo in 1991. The eruption killed more than 800 people and sent ash high into the atmosphere, affecting areas thousands of kilometres away. (ILKHA)