MANILA, Philippines – The Mayon Volcano on Tuesday, March 5, has been downgraded from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1, indicating a low level of unrest.

This means that the likelihood of Mayon Volcano erupting in the immediate future has diminished, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in a bulletin at 5:30 pm on Tuesday.

“However, the lowering of the alert status should not be interpreted that unrest has completely ceased,” Phivolcs cautioned.

The possibility of reverting back to Alert Level 2 was not yet ruled out.

In particular, the agency observed the following:

• Volcanic earthquake activity: declined to an average of two to three earthquakes per day since the first week of January 2024
• Ground deformation: edifice is still inflated, but northern middle slopes had deflated; inflation of southern slopes and upper slopes continues
• Volcanic gas emission: sulfur dioxide emission fell from a 2,394 tonnes per day from January to 420 tonnes per day in March
• Visual observation of the summit: crater glow was weak and only visible when using a telescope; there is no movement of lava flows observed

Back on June 8, 2023, Phivolcs raised the status of Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 3, which meant an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.” It was later downgraded to Alert Level 2 on December 8, 2023.

Phivolcs still reminded the public to avoid entry into the permanent danger zone and to cover their noses and mouths in case of ashfall events. – Rappler.com