The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported a significant spike in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Mayon Volcano in Albay province, reaching over 8,000 tons per day. The agency noted that this elevated gas output could signal renewed volcanic unrest, prompting closer monitoring of the country's most active volcano.
According to PHIVOLCS, the recent measurement far exceeds the typical baseline levels observed in recent months. Sulfur dioxide is a key indicator of magma movement beneath a volcano; a sudden surge often suggests that fresh magma is rising and degassing, which may precede eruptive activity.
Mayon Volcano, known for its near-perfect cone, is currently under alert level 2, which means that low-level unrest persists and that hazardous eruptions are not imminent but possible. PHIVOLCS has reminded residents and local authorities to stay vigilant, especially because the volcano's history includes sudden phreatic explosions and lava flows.
Officials have urged the public to refrain from entering the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and to avoid flying aircraft close to the summit due to the risk of ash and ballistic fragments. Communities living within the PDZ have been advised to remain prepared for possible evacuation orders if conditions worsen.
The agency also reminded local governments to maintain coordination with disaster response units and to heed advisories from PHIVOLCS. Meanwhile, scientists continue to monitor seismic activity, ground deformation, and visual observations to gain a clearer picture of the volcano's behavior.
Mayon's last major eruption occurred in 2018, displacing tens of thousands of residents. While the current SO2 spike does not automatically mean that a large eruption is imminent, experts emphasize that such anomalies must be treated seriously, particularly given the volcano's tendency to show sudden changes.
As of this writing, PHIVOLCS has not raised the alert level, but the agency has assured the public that it will provide timely updates if the situation escalates. Residents in nearby areas are advised to follow official announcements and avoid spreading unverified information.