LEGAZPI CITY — Mayon Volcano exhibited a short-lived lava effusion on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, sending lava flows down the Mabinit and Bonga gullies for several minutes before stopping, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
The event was recorded between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. and was accompanied by increased seismic activity, moderate plume emissions, and incandescent rockfalls. PHIVOLCS stressed that the lava flow was very limited in extent (reaching only ~200–300 meters from the summit crater) and did not indicate an imminent magmatic eruption.
Key Observations (24-Hour Period Ending Jan 13, 8:00 a.m.)
- Lava Flow: Short-lived effusion in Mabinit and Bonga gullies (stopped after ~3 hours)
- Volcanic Earthquakes: 22 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes (LFVQs) — elevated
- Tremor Duration: Continuous volcanic tremor totaling ~12 hours
- Rockfall Events: Frequent incandescent avalanches and small rockfalls
- Plume Emissions: Moderate white steam-laden plumes reaching 600–1,200 meters height, drifting southwest
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) Flux: Elevated at ~1,800–2,200 tonnes per day — stable but high
- Ground Deformation: Continued slight inflation of the edifice
PHIVOLCS maintained Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) and reiterated that the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remains strictly off-limits. The risk of sudden phreatic explosions, rockfalls, and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) remains high.
Safety Reminders
- No entry into the 6-km PDZ.
- High-risk barangays in Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Legazpi City, and Tabaco City.
- Aviation: No-fly zone within 10 km of the crater.
- Authorities: LGUs and DILG continue enforcing evacuations and monitoring.
Here are recent visuals capturing the short lava flow, steam plumes, rockfalls, and monitoring activity at Mayon:
The volcano remains restless — stay vigilant and follow only official PHIVOLCS advisories.