Philippines' Mayon volcano erupts, blasting ash nearly 10,000ft into the sky as residents are told to evacuate the danger zone
Mayon Volcano erupting in Albay, Philippines, as posted on X by Weather Monitor, with residents within the 6km Permanent Danger Zone ordered to evacuate.
The 'moderately explosive' eruption lasted six minutes, beginning at 11:53am local time, and sent a thick ash column drifting westward-southwest to coat Daraga, Guinobatan and other towns across Albay province. Phivolcs upgraded its alert from Level 2 to Level 3 on the five-point scale, announcing that Mayon has entered a new magmatic phase during which lava flows and pyroclastic density currents are possible over the days and weeks ahead. No casualties or damage were immediately reported, though classes across Albay province have been suspended and pilots warned to avoid the summit.
Residents within the 6km Permanent Danger Zone have been ordered to evacuate immediately.
Phivolcs warned a further eruption could follow within weeks if volcanic unrest keeps rising.
Mayon was sitting at Alert Level 2 from 5 August until Friday's eruption prompted the upgrade.
