Phivolcs: Mayon Volcano alert level down from 2 to 1

Mayon Volcano in Albay (File photo by Michael B. Jaucian / Inquirer Southern Luzon)

LEGAZPI CITY—The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has lowered Mayon Volcano’s alert level status from 2 (increasing unrest) to 1 (abnormal) on Tuesday.

Alert Level 1 means that the volcano has a low level of unrest and that the likelihood of an eruption has faded.

Mayon Volcano had its alert level lowered from alert level 3 (increased tendency toward hazardous eruption) to 2 on Dec. 8, 2023.

“Since the start of the year, Mayon Volcano has exhibited a steady decline in its monitored parameters,” Phivolcs said in a statement.

The parameters mentioned by Phivolcs include the volcanic earthquake activities, which has declined to an average of two to three daily; lower sulfur dioxide gas emissions averaging 1,148 metric tons per day; and weak to moderate degassing plumes observed on the summit crater.

While the long-term ground deformation data still showed that the edifice of the volcano was still inflated, the short-term data indicated deflation of the northern middle slopes, according to Phivolcs.

“In the event of a renewed increase in any one or combination of the above monitoring parameters, the alert status may step up once again to Alert Level 2,” according to Phivolcs.

“On the other hand, if there is a noticeable return to baseline levels of ground deformation and sustained low levels of other monitoring parameters, then the alert status may further step down.”