LIGAO CITY, ALBAY, Philippines — A record surge in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Mayon Volcano has raised the possibility of a more explosive eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned on Saturday.
Phivolcs reported that Mayon's SO2 emission rate reached 1,200 tonnes per day on July 11, 2026, the highest recorded since monitoring began. This exceeds the previous record of 1,000 tonnes per day in June 2023. The volcano also exhibited increased seismic activity, with 12 volcanic earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours.
Alert Level 3 remains in effect, indicating a high level of unrest and a potential for hazardous eruption within weeks or days. Phivolcs reiterated that the public should avoid the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to risks of lava flows, rockfalls, and pyroclastic density currents.
Local authorities have evacuated over 10,000 residents from high-risk areas around the volcano. The Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is coordinating with national agencies to ensure preparedness for a possible escalation.
