The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has warned that Mayon Volcano could experience a stronger eruption following detections of new magma beneath its edifice, signaled by soaring sulfur dioxide levels.
On Tuesday, November 3, at 8:00 a.m., Mayon discharged a three-minute strombolian activity that sent black smoke billowing 1,600 meters into the air. The event triggered fresh ashfall in southwest communities.
“Ang pinag-uusapan po natin diyang munisipyo ay Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, kung medyo malakas pa ang hangin, maaari pong lumayo pa papunta sa iba pang munisipyo tulad ng Ligao,” said PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Antonia Bornas.
State volcanologists noted that Mayon—an open-vent volcano that makes precise forecasting difficult—is displaying atypical behavior compared to historical trends. Having last erupted in 2023, the volcano has resumed activity only three years later.
“Dati po ay every nine, 10 years ito pumuputok, but since 2018, pumuputok po ito ng mas madalas… Mas marami pong niluwa na lava o magma ang bulkan nitong 2026, kahit maikli lang yung panahon ng kanyang repose, maikli lang yung panahon ng kanyang recharge,” Bornas explained.
Ordinarily, prolonged activity this year should have depleted the volcano’s sulfur dioxide output. Instead, emissions hit 1,930 tons over a 24-hour window, pointing to a fresh and active magma supply underneath.
“Nandyan pa po yung chance na magkaroon pa po ng susunod na pagputok, maaari itong mas malakas or mas mahina, hopefully po tumigil na ang aktibidad ng Mayon,” Bornas added.
Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Mayon, with strict enforcement of the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone.
While the volcano’s activity remains continuous, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a sudden cessation. Once a prolonged period of quiet is observed, PHIVOLCS stated it would consider lowering the alert level to allow displaced residents to return home.