Alert level 3: New lava dome spotted inside Mayon crater

LEGAZPI CITY — A new lava dome has been spotted inside the summit crater of Mayon Volcano, prompting warnings of possible renewed volcanic activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Friday, Nov. 13.

The dome was first observed Friday morning through a close-up camera monitoring system at the Mayon Volcano Observatory.

“Lava domes typically occur at the onset of eruptive unrest at Mayon. But if anything, the 2026 eruption has not been typical. We need to prepare for renewed activity,” Antonia V. Bornas, chief of the Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, told the Inquirer in a text message on Friday.

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READ: Mayon emits ash plume on Tuesday morning

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Doreen Abelinde, officer in charge of the Mayon Volcano Observatory, described the formation as partially solidified lava accumulating near the volcanic vent and being slowly pushed outward.

“This is similar to what happened before the 2014, 2023 and 2026 eruptions,” Abelinde said.

The dome’s appearance was preceded by bulging of the crater floor detected in satellite images taken between Nov. 2 and 4 by an international partner agency.

The ground deformation was attributed to the growth of the lava dome, which had not yet become visible at the time.

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A lava dome forms when thick magma reaches the surface and accumulates around a volcanic vent. Its growth can trigger rockfalls and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), which are fast-moving mixtures of hot gas, ash and volcanic debris.

In its Nov. 13 monitoring bulletin, Phivolcs maintained Alert Level 3 over Mayon, indicating heightened magmatic unrest.

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The agency recorded eight volcanic earthquakes during the 24-hour monitoring period, along with minor Strombolian activity. INQ