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Philippine Authorities Order Evacuation After Mayon Eruption
A three-kilometer ash plume prompted evacuations within a six-kilometer radius as officials raised the volcano’s alert level to 3.
Philippine authorities ordered the evacuation of communities within six kilometers of Mayon volcano on Friday after a moderately explosive eruption sent an ash plume 3,000 meters above its crater, prompting warnings of further volcanic activity and possible lava flows.
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The eruption began at 11:53 a.m. local time (03:53 GMT) and lasted nearly six minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). It generated a dense ash cloud that rose rapidly to 3,000 meters above the summit.
Phivolcs raised Mayon’s alert level to 3 on a five-point scale, warning that the volcano had entered a new phase of magmatic eruption and faced an increased risk of a hazardous event. The agency said lava flows could descend the volcano’s slopes in the coming days or weeks.
Following the eruption, the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council ordered local authorities to evacuate residents living within a six-kilometer radius of the crater on Friday afternoon.
The Philippines’ Mayon Volcano has erupted, sending ash plumes 3,000 metres above its summit.
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 30, 2026
Authorities have raised the alert to Level 3, signalling that the volcano has entered a new phase of eruption. pic.twitter.com/45eGH25Hf0
The directive, signed and shared by the provincial governor, also suspended classes at all educational levels in public and private schools across the affected area until further notice.
Police and military personnel will enforce security measures to prevent access to the danger zone, where all activities have been prohibited.
Authorities also warned residents to remain alert for possible mudflows and avalanches of volcanic material along rivers and streams flowing down the volcano. Phivolcs advised pilots to avoid flying over the summit.
The agency forecast ashfall in Daraga, Camalig and Guinobatan, as well as other communities in Albay province, in the southeastern part of Luzon island.
Mayon is one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes. The country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region marked by intense seismic and volcanic activity.
