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January 10, 2026 | 12:37pm
Incandescent pyroclastic density currents (PDC) or “uson” and rockfall are continually shed from the summit lava dome of Mayon Volcano onto the Mi-isi, Bonga and Basud Gullies at around 9:46 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.
Phivolcs / Philstar.com screenshot
MANILA, Philippines — The Mayon Volcano is exhibiting signs of increasing unrest, with bright red magma and glowing pyroclastic density currents called "uson" continuing to stream from its summit as the lava dome collapses.
The Office of Civil Defense issued a volcano alert early Saturday morning, January 10, warning nearby communities of the collapsing lava dome at 9:01 a.m. along the Mi-isi, Bonga and Basud gullies.
State seismologists reported that a total of 150 rockfall events and 90 pyroclastic densities have been recorded over the span of 24 hours on January 9, including some around 9:46 p.m., when the summit was seen glowing.
Mayon Volcano is showing three key signs of activity: lava dome growth, dome collapse and the start of lava flows.
This means magma is slowly oozing from the summit to form a dome, parts of the dome are collapsing and sending hot gas, ash, and volcanic rock — called pyroclastic flows — down the slopes, and lava is beginning to flow down the volcano's slopes.
Phivolcs also reported that Mayon Volcano is releasing sulfur dioxide at a rate of 195 tons per day, producing a plume about 500 meters high, with moderate emissions drifting toward the west-northwest and southwest.
Local governments in the Bicol region, along with disaster management officials, have carried out evacuations of nearby communities after state seismologists raised Mayon Volcano's alert level to Alert Level 3 on January 6, citing signs of a possible magmatic eruption from the summit lava dome and increased pyroclastic flows.
This came just a week after the volcano was raised to Alert Level 2 following a sudden surge in rockfall activity.
A total of 4,139 residents in Albay have sought shelter, with most staying in evacuation centers. The hardest-hit areas include Tabaco City, Malilipot, Ligao City, Camalig and Guinobatan.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported providing a total of P6.62 million in financial assistance to affected families. Aid needed to be distributed includes family food packs, medicines, surgical masks, hygiene kits and sleeping kits.
Phivolcs urged residents to follow local authorities' instructions, including staying out of the six-kilometer permanent danger zone and being aware of the risks from landslides, ballistic fragments, lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, explosions and lahars.
