Phivolcs: Mayon spurts high volume of sulfuric gas anew
Updated: Sep 14
By Ernie Delgado
LEGAZPI CITY --- Mayon Volcano in Albay province released on Thursday the second highest level of sulfur dioxide emission since its gas concentrations began decreasing last July 15, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
In its Friday morning advisory, Phivolcs said the country’s most active volcano emitted 8,165 metric tons of sulfur dioxide.
“Volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO₂ gas from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano yesterday, 03 September 2026, reached a very high emission rate of 8,165 tonnes/day based on averaged measurements by stationary UV spectrometry. This is the 2nd highest emission from Mayon recorded since volcanic gas concentrations began decreasing on 16 July 2026,” Phivolcs said.
Mayon had been releasing an average rate of 4,196 metric tons per day of SO₂ after the volcano’s alert status was lowered to Level 2 (moderate level of unrest) from Level 3 (increased tendency toward hazardous eruption) last Aug. 5.
On Aug. 17, the volcano spewed 8,393 metric tons of SO₂, the highest recorded emission level since the alert level downgrade.
A total of 10 volcanic earthquakes were also recorded yesterday by the Mayon Volcano Network.
Real-time seismic energy release has been detected in the background, Phivolcs said.
Phivolcs “would like to remind the public that Mayon Volcano is at Alert Level 2 but that there are currently new possibilities of eruptive unrest recurring,” the state volcanologist said.
Local government units were advised to prepare for a possible increase in volcanic activity, which may result in a return to Alert Level 3.
Phivolcs warned that the new phase of eruption could bring serious dangers that include fast-moving flows of hot gas and debris, falling rocks and large chunks of material that might shoot out from the volcano’s crater, and heavy ashfall that could impact communities located downwind of the volcano.
Entry into the volcano’s 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone is prohibited for this reason.
Pilots are advised to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit, and nearby communities that have experienced lahars and mudflows are told to take precautionary measures during heavy rainfall around the volcano. (PIA Bicol)
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