Mayon Volcano erupts, Alert Level 3 raised -- PHIVOLCS

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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Friday reported a moderately explosive eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay, prompting the raising of Alert Level 3.

In its Mayon Volcano Eruption Notification No. 1, PHIVOLCS said the eruption started at 11:53 a.m. and was still ongoing as of its latest advisory.

The eruption initially generated a grayish plume that rose approximately 3,000 meters above the crater and drifted west-southwest.

In a separate Facebook post, PHIVOLCS announced that Alert Level 3 has been raised over Mayon Volcano, which means increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.

It said the volcano has relatively high unrest. There are frequent volcanic quakes and tremors, sulfur dioxide flux, rockfalls in the summit area, vigorous steaming or sustained crater glow, and persistent swelling of edifice. Magma is close or at the crater.

If there is a trend of increasing unrest, an eruption is possible within weeks. Extension of the danger zone in the sector where the crater rim is low will be considered, PHIVOLCS said. —AOL, GMA News