MAYON VOLCANO ERUPTION UPDATE

10 February 2026

02:15 AM

 

Summary of Surface Observations:

 

Since Mayon Volcano entered a period of magmatic eruption on 6 January 2026, its activity has been characterized by effusion or non-explosive eruption of lava from the summit crater, generating lava flows and collapse-fed rockfall and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or uson, hazardous mixtures of hot volcanic gas, ash and fragmented rock. These volcanic hazards have continually affected three (3) major drainage systems on the southern to eastern slopes – the Mi-isi, Bonga and Basud Gullies – including minor drainages in between, areas well within the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). As of 8 February 2026, lava flows have advanced to radial distances of 1.3 km, 1.6 km and 3.8 km on the Mi-isi, Bonga and Basud Gullies, respectively, while rockfall and PDC runouts remained within the 3-kilometer radial distance from the summit crater. The total volume of magma erupted based on these deposits was estimated to be 22 million m³.

 

After a phase of relative low-level activity, rockfall increased to a peak count of 469 events on 8 February 2026, followed on 9 February 2026 by the largest PDC events so far generated by lava collapse. Three (3) major PDC events occurred between 2:30 AM and 2:44 AM but these were obscured for the greater part by cloud cover. Ashfall around this time was reported by residents of Tumpa, Camalig, Albay to the PHIVOLCS Quick Response Team (QRT) on routine reconnaissance on the western slopes later in the morning. From 10:35 AM to 11:37 AM (Figure 1), a series of at least 12 successive major PDC events occurred with the largest event at 10:59 AM lasting seven (7) minutes based on the seismic record. This series was poorly visible as well but produced prominent >2 kilometer-tall brownish to grayish ash clouds that were blown by ~40 kph winds extensively to the west of the volcano. Heavy and occasionally wet to trace ashfall was experienced by the following localities of Camalig and Guinobatan, Albay Province:

 

Affected Barangays, Camalig, Albay		Affected Barangays, Guinobatan, Albay
Sua	Cabangan	Travesia	Sinungtan
Tumpa	Brgys. 1-7	Maninila	Quitago
Quirangay	Sumlang	Ilawod	Inamnan Pequeño
Ligban	Libod	Lower Binogsacan	Doña Mercedes
Bariw	Salugan	Malipo	Poblacion
Anoling	Gapo	Quibongbongan	Tandarora
		San Rafael	Masarawag

 

The 10:59 AM PDC and subsequent major PDC events were observed to have travelled down the 4-kilometer radial distance in the Mi-isi Gully, the farthest PDC runouts so far recorded for the 2026 eruption. Partial views show that the PDC sources were collapse events originating in the proximity of the crater and that likely disintegrated deposits of oxidized and degassed lava that contributed brownish ash in the PDC ash clouds. These observations, including the prior increase in rockfall activity, indicate that major PDC activity on 9 February 2026 was triggered by a substantial volume of lava fed to the Mi-isi lava flows, causing shedding of relatively larger volumes of pre-erupted material and potentially significant advancement of the Mi-isi lava flow front. Together with smaller-volume PDC and rockfall activity preceding and following these major PDC phases, 52 and 396 events, respectively, were recorded on 9 February 2026 (Figure 2).

 

Summary of Monitoring Parameters:

 

From 1 January to 9 February 2026, a total of 1,690 PDCs, 9,941 rockfall and 1,346 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded by the Mayon Volcano Observatory (MVO). Seismicity has been dominated by low-frequency volcanic earthquakes (LFVQs) that are associated with volcanic gas activity within the shallow levels of the volcanic edifice. Average SO₂ emission for this period as well averaged 2,466 tonnes/day with a peak of 6,569  tonnes/day measured on 4 February 2026. Ground deformation data based on continuous GPS, electronic tilt and campaign EDM measurements since January 2025 indicate that the Mayon edifice has been unsteadily inflating or swelling, with its eastern to northeastern flank exhibiting extensional movement due to deep-seated magmatic intrusions (Figure 3).

 

Based on total seismic energy release (Figure 2, bottom), the 9 February 2026 major PDC activity represents only a brief intensification of unrest at Mayon, which has progressed in near-steady conditions since the onset of eruption.

 

Recommended Actions:

 

Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) is maintained over Mayon Volcano. DOST-PHIVOLCS would like to remind the public that effusive eruption is still ongoing and continues to feed new lava flows, PDCs and rockfall on the southern and eastern slopes. The public should refrain from entering the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the dangers of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards. Residents within the 8-kilometer radius, particularly on the southern and eastern slopes of Mayon, must also be prepared for evacuation in case monitoring parameters suddenly escalate and the volcano status is stepped up to Alert Level 4. Increased vigilance against lahars and sediment-laden streamflow along channels draining the edifice, particularly those headed on the Mi-isi, Bonga and Basud Gullies, is also advised in the event that intense rains occur over the summit area. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.

 

DOST-PHIVOLCS