Crater glow seen at Mayon Volcano Wednesday evening

MANILA, Philippines — Crater glow, or “banaag,” was spotted at the summit of Mayon Volcano in Albay on Wednesday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

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In a Facebook post, the Phivolcs said the crater glow at Mayon was observed between 6:36 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday after “superheated volcanic gas from new magma lights up the atmosphere above the crater.”

Crater glow signifies intense heat but it’s not necessarily indicative of an imminent eruption, according to officials.

“Incandescent lava dome at the crater with newly-laid incandescent material from rockfall and short pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), or ‘uson,’ on the Bonga Gully shed from the dome,” the Phivolcs added.

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Alert Level 3 remains in effect over the volcano, signifying that entry into the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must be prohibited.

It was on Tuesday when the Phivolcs raised the status of Mayon to Alert Level 3 following a radical increase in volcanic activity.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier this Wednesday directed the concerned local government units (LGUs) in Albay to evacuate their residents from Mayon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines likewise extended its restrictions for flights around the volcano until 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 8. /mr