U.S. Embassy issues Mayon alert as PHIVOLCS raises warning to Level 3

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines issued a volcanic activity alert on October 30 after PHIVOLCS raised Mayon Volcano’s alert status to Level 3, warning of an increased risk of a hazardous eruption.

According to the embassy advisory, a moderate eruption occurred at 11:53 a.m., sending an ash plume 3,000 meters above the summit crater. Ashfall was expected in Daraga, Guinobatan and neighboring municipalities in Albay.

Alert Level 3 indicates an increased risk of dangerous volcanic activity in the coming days to weeks, including lava flows and pyroclastic density currents—fast-moving, potentially deadly clouds of hot gas, ash and rocks.

The advisory said PHIVOLCS recommended that everyone within six kilometers of the volcano evacuate because of the threat of pyroclastic density currents, lava flows, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards.

The embassy urged residents and visitors in affected communities to exercise extreme caution, stay out of the Permanent Danger Zone and other high-risk areas, and monitor local news and PHIVOLCS bulletins.

U.S. citizens were also encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, to receive alerts and help the embassy locate them during an emergency.

Americans requiring emergency assistance may contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila at +63 (2) 5301-2000, including outside regular office hours.