The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the Alert level status of Albay’s Mayon Volcano from level one to level two due to the prevailing increased unrest “driven by shallow magmatic processes.“

In its 3 pm bulletin released on Friday, Phivolcs said the current unrest could “eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption.“

It said their daily visual and camera monitoring in the volcano’s summit crater has shown a “continued aseismic growth of its lava dome.“

Phivolcs said it has observed that the lava dome has increased in volume by approximately 48,000m3 since August 20.

“The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and desist from entering the six (6) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides,“ it said.

Meanwhile, in its 8 am bulletin issued on Saturday, Phivolcs said there were no volcanic earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours of monitoring.

“Moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that crept downslope before drifting to the west-southwest and west was observed,“ it said.

However, Alert level two remains as the increased unrest prevails.

Phivolcs reiterated that entry into the six-kilometer-radius PDZ is strictly prohibited.

In case of ash fall events, the affected communities are advised to cover their mouth and nose with a damp, clean cloth, or dust mask.

While civil aviation authorities are directed to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as the ash from any sudden eruption can be dangerous to aircraft.

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