The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has lowered the status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2.
The volcano was placed under Alert Level 3 last January 6 due to its increasing seismic activities.
In a bulletin on Wednesday, the Phivolcs said that Mayon’s alert status was lowered due to a ‘general decline in unrest since 23 July 2026’ as indicated by the following parameters: decline of eruptive activity at the volcano’s summit crater; diminishing volcanic earthquakes daily; and decreasing emission of sulfur dioxide.
‘In view thereof, DOST-PHIVOLCS is lowering the Alert Level of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest/increased tendency towards hazardous eruption) to Alert Level 2 (moderate level of unrest),’ Phivolcs said.
Eruptive activity decline
It noted that the eruptive activity at the volcano’s summit crater declined based on the decreasing number of Strombolian events, lava effusion, lava collapse-fed rockfall, and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) after its peak between July 11 and 18, 2026.
It also said that lava-collapse-fed rockfall decreased from an average of 278 events per day since January 6 to just 12 events per day from July 23 ‘as lava flows began stabilizing in place and shedding less and less material onto the volcano slopes.’
It recorded approximately 89 million cubic meters of erupted lava volume, including rockfall and PDCs.
In addition, Phivolcs also cited the decreasing volcanic earthquakes from a monthly average of 57 events per day since January 6 to 13 events daily since July 23.
It also reported the return of real-time seismic energy releases from the volcano to its pre-eruption levels.
It then pointed out that the sulfur dioxide emission from the onset of eruption last January averaged 2,163 tonnes per day, and has averaged 2,163 tonnes per day since July 23, or after the cessation of magma supply.
Phivolcs also reported that the overall ground deformation and microgravity parameters ‘suggest that while the edifice has been depressurized due to shallow magmatic eruption processes, the Mayon edifice remains generally pressurized with respect to background conditions.’
Danger still lurks
However, despite the status adjustment, Phivolcs advised that ‘it should not be interpreted to mean that the volcano’s unrest has ceased, considering that the edifice is still pressurized and SO2 emission remains high relative to baseline levels.’
With this, it still prohibits entry into a six-kilometer radius or permanent danger zone and flying of aircraft close to the volcano’s summit.
It then warned of possible hazards such as short-range PDCs, rockfall, ballistic projectiles, and landslides. It also said that thin ashfall and post-eruption lahars due to heavy rains can be experienced.