Mayon Volcano in Albay showed increased activity over the weekend, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday recorded 279 volcanic earthquakes over the past 24 hours.
On Saturday, the agency also logged 324 rockfall events and three pyroclastic density current signals at the volcano.
Phivolcs said Alert Level 3 remains in effect.
Lava effusion with flows along three gullies, accompanied by episodic minor strombolian activity, was observed in Basud (3.8 kilometers), Bonga (3.2 kilometers), and Mi-isi (1.3 kilometers), the agency said.
Sulfur dioxide flux, the rate at which SO2 gas is emitted into the atmosphere and a vital indicator for predicting volcanic activity, was measured at 2,430 tons.
The crater glow last Saturday was described as fair, while the volcanic plume was obscured.
Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone remains prohibited and advised aircraft to avoid flying close to the volcano.
The agency warned of possible hazards, including rockfalls, landslides or avalanches, ballistic fragments, lava flows and lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, moderate-sized explosions, and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Mayon records 279 volcanic earthquakes, but still at Alert Level 3”
