Mayon Volcano spews ash; Alert Level 3 prevails

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Mayon Volcano in Albay had an ash emission from its summit crater on Saturday morning, a day after it erupted, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The volcano was captured on camera spewing ash at 5:17 a.m.

A plume rose up to 200 meters above the crater before drifting in the west-southwest direction, as could be seen in footage recorded by Ligao Monitoring Station (VMLI) and Mayon Volcano Observatory, Ligñon Hill (VMLH) IP cameras.

"Alert Level 3 prevails over Mayon and entry into the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone should be prohibited," PHIVOLCS said.

The volcano had a moderately explosive eruption on Friday around noontime, prompting the raising of the alert level from Level 2 to Level 3 (Intensified Unrest/Magmatic Unrest) by PHIVOLCS.

The eruption lasted six minutes.

Fifteen volcanic earthquakes and 30 rockfall events were also recorded on Friday, PHIVOLCS said in its bulletin issued Saturday.

A crater glow could be seen fairly with the naked eye.

PHIVOLCS said flying aircraft close to the volcano should not be allowed.

At Alert Level 3, Mayon Volcano poses possible hazards such as the following:

• Rockfalls or landslides or avalanches
• Ballistic fragments
• Lava flows and lava fountaining
• Pyroclastic density currents
• Moderate-sized explosions
• Lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall

Tabaco City in Albay has implemented a mandatory evacuation for its residents after Mayon Volcano erupted. —KG, GMA News