Mayon Volcano Erupts Again, Alert Level 3 Remains

Minor strombolian activity was recorded at Mayon Volcano early Sunday morning, marking the 41st consecutive day of effusive eruptions at the Philippines’ most active volcano. The brief eight-minute episode, observed at 5:20 a.m. on February 15, 2026, has prompted authorities to maintain Alert Level 3 and enforce a strict 6-kilometre Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the crater.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the activity remained within expectations for the current eruption phase but underscored the volcano’s “intensified unrest.” Entry into the danger zone, which spans communities in Albay Province in the Bicol Region, remains prohibited.

An Eight-Minute Display at Dawn

According to Phivolcs, “Minor strombolian activity was recorded at the Mayon Volcano in Bicol early Sunday (Feb 15) morning.” The episode lasted until 5:28 a.m. and was confined to the summit crater.

Strombolian eruptions are distinct from large, ash-heavy explosions. Citing the United States National Park Service, Phivolcs explained that “a strombolian activity is characterised by intermittent, firework-like eruptions of magma with moderate gas content.” These bursts often resemble glowing embers thrown skyward before falling back onto the slopes.

Sunday’s activity unfolded against the backdrop of an ongoing effusive eruption phase, during which lava steadily escapes the crater rather than detonating in a single violent blast. Phivolcs noted that “effusive eruptions occur when incandescent lava steadily flows out of the volcano, generating pyroclastic density currents (uson) and rockfall.”

Alert Level 3 and an Expanding Risk Zone

Authorities continue to enforce Alert Level 3 on a five-point scale, signalling heightened unrest and the potential for hazardous eruptions. Under this status, the 6-km PDZ—a ring around Mayon’s 2,462-metre summit—remains off-limits to residents, tourists and aircraft operating at low altitude.

The restriction is mandated under Republic Act No. 10692, which formalises the state’s responsibility for geological monitoring and public warnings. National disaster protocols under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction framework are prepared to support evacuations should conditions escalate.

Mayon rises northwest of Legazpi City, dominating the skyline with near-perfect symmetry. That same symmetry, admired by tourists, masks volatile geological forces beneath.

A Volcano With a Lethal History

Mayon’s current behaviour fits into a long history of cyclical unrest. Since records began in 1616, eruptions have ranged from mild strombolian bursts to powerful basaltic Plinian events.

The most catastrophic eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1,200 people and buried entire communities. More recent episodes—including sustained activity from February to August 2024—have featured ash plumes, pyroclastic flows and lava extrusion, prompting repeated evacuations across Albay.

Sunday’s event, while minor, serves as a reminder that Mayon’s calmer phases can shift without prolonged warning.

Communities on Edge

For families living near the slopes, even minor activity carries economic consequences. Effusive eruptions and associated ashfall can damage abaca, rice and coconut plantations, threatening incomes in farming villages already vulnerable to weather extremes.

Past episodes have forced the evacuation of between 10,000 and 20,000 residents from high-risk zones, disrupting livelihoods tied to vending, fishing in Albay Gulf and daily wage labour. Road closures triggered by volcanic rockfalls and the risk of lahars during heavy rain can choke access to Legazpi and neighbouring markets, complicating transport for jeepney drivers and traders alike.

While no new large-scale evacuations were immediately reported following Sunday’s activity, local government units remain on alert should lava flows or pyroclastic currents intensify.

Monitoring Continues

Phivolcs has emphasised that current activity remains within the bounds of the existing alert level. The agency continues to monitor seismic data, ground deformation and gas emissions for signs of escalation.

The eight-minute flare-up at dawn may have been brief, but it forms part of a protracted eruptive chapter now in its sixth week. For residents of Albay, who live in the shadow of one of the Pacific Ring of Fire’s most active peaks, vigilance has become routine.

As Mayon continues to glow at its summit, authorities insist on caution: the volcano’s beauty, like its history, demands respect.