Mayon Volcano’s effusive eruption enters 19th day

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- The effusive eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay continued for the 19th consecutive day on Sunday, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observing a notable crater glow at night.

“Notable crater glow caused by superheated volcanic gas emitted at the summit crater was photographed from the Mayon Volcano Observatory between 06:20 PM to 06:22 PM, 25 January 2026 (PST),” Phivolcs said in the caption for photos of the volcano posted on social media at around 9 p.m. Sunday.

As of Monday morning, both lava flow and glowing from the volcano’s crater were observed.

According to Phivolcs’ latest observation summary, Mayon logged 13 volcanic earthquakes, one ongoing tremor, 229 rockfall events, and 45 pyroclastic density currents.

State volcanologists reported that the volcano belched 1,221 tons of sulfur dioxide within a 24-hour period on January 25.

Moderate plumes of smoke rose to up to 700 meters above the crater, drifting in various directions: east-southeast, northeast, north-northeast, and north-northwest.

On Saturday night, Phivolcs announced that the lava flow from the volcano’s summit crater had reached approximately 1.3 to 3.2 kilometers downslope, affecting the Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies.

During the PIA Ugnayan sa Bicol briefing on Wednesday, resident volcanologist Paul Karson Alanis said that despite ongoing rumblings, monitoring shows no immediate signs that the effusive eruption will quickly escalate into an explosive eruption.

The volcano is unlikely to experience a more hazardous eruption until its magma becomes more viscous and volcanic gas accumulates significantly, Alanis, resident volcanologist at the Ligñon Hill Mayon Observatory Station, said. (PIA Bicol)