17/08/2026
MAYON VOLCANO ADVISORY
17 August 2026
10:30 PM
This is a notice of increased volcanic SO2 emission from Mayon Volcano.
Volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emission from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano today, 17 August 2026, reached a very high emission rate of 8,393 tonnes/day based on averaged measurements by campaign UV spectrometry. This is the highest emission from Mayon recorded since volcanic gas concentrations began decreasing on 16 July 2026. Since the volcanoโs status was lowered to Alert Level 2 on 5 August 2026, SO2 gas emission has averaged only 2,532 tonnes/day. The abrupt rise follows a short-term trend of swelling or pressurization of the northern and eastern sectors of the volcano edifice recorded by electronic tilt deformation stations of the Mayon Volcano Network. In contrast, volcanic seismicity and real-time seismic energy release has remained in the background levels. Nonetheless, elevated volcanic SO2 emissions could forewarn of a potential shift to renewed eruptive activity at the summit crater that could generate volcanic hazards all around the volcano, the impacts of which can be worsened by the prevailing poor weather conditions.
DOST-PHIVOLCS would like to remind the public that Mayon Volcano is at Alert Level 2 (moderate level of unrest) but that there are currently new possibilities of eruptive unrest reccurring. A new phase of eruption could generate life-threatening volcanic hazards that include pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or uson, rockfall, ballistic fragments that can be thrown out as projectiles from the crater and extensive ashfall that could severely impact communities downwind of the volcano. The public must refrain from entering the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and communities and local government units within the pre-determined zones of PDC hazards must prepare and be ready to respond in case activity escalates and the alert level is stepped up to Alert Level 3. Increased vigilance and pre-emptive response actions to guard against lahars and sediment-laden streamflow along channels draining the edifice are also advised during sustained heavy or intense rains especially in the event of simultaneous explosive eruption. Civil aviation authorities should continue to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcanoโs summit as ash and ballistic fragments 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.
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST)
https://vmepd.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/bulletin/activity-mvo?bid=16644&lang=en
