Mayon Volcano showed increased activity on Saturday, with ash falling over some areas in Albay after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a lava flow collapse-fed pyroclastic density current swept the slopes at around 5:38 p.m.
PHIVOLCS said the estimated run-out of the pyroclastic density current was four kilometers, and ashfall was affecting the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan in Albay. The volcano remained at Alert Level 3.
The activity came after several episodes of minor Strombolian activity on Friday, extending a run of unrest that has kept the volcano under close watch. The latest flare-up adds to pressure on communities already dealing with falling ash and the risk that conditions near the volcano could worsen quickly.
The Philippine Red Cross said it was on the ground and coordinating with local authorities and disaster response agencies to monitor the situation. It urged residents in affected communities to stay on high alert, avoid entering designated danger zones, especially near gullies and river channels, and remain indoors with protective masks if ashfall is present. It also said food and water supplies should be kept securely covered to avoid contamination.
The immediate concern is not just the ash already on the ground but whether Mayon Volcano settles down or keeps producing hazardous activity in the hours ahead. With Alert Level 3 still in place, the volcano remains in a state PHIVOLCS has described as relatively high unrest, and the days of consistent activity have left little room for anyone nearby to assume the danger has passed.