LEGAZPI CITY — A significant volcanic event at Mayon Volcano on Monday morning, February 9, 2026, has left more than 20 villages in the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan covered in volcanic ash.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), a pyroclastic density current (PDC)—a fast-moving mixture of volcanic gas and rock—erupted at 10:35 a.m., marking the “largest” such event since the volcano’s current period of unrest began.
Impact and Response The PDC traveled down the Mi-isi Gully in Daraga town, generating an extensive brownish ash plume that rose approximately one kilometer into the atmosphere before drifting southwest.
- Affected Areas: Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. reported that the ashfall reached villages across the town center. In Guinobatan, residents were similarly affected by the drifting ash clouds.
- Safety Advisories: Local officials have advised all residents in the affected zones to stay indoors. Those who must go outside are urged to wear facemasks to protect against respiratory issues caused by volcanic ash.
- Permanent Danger Zone: PHIVOLCS reiterated that entry into the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to the risk of sudden explosions, rockfalls, and PDCs.
Eruption Status Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating a high level of unrest and a steady magmatic eruption that has persisted for more than a month. The brownish color of the ash plume is characteristic of the current activity, as magma continues to rise and interact with the volcano’s internal structure.
Authorities are continuously monitoring the volcano for signs of further escalation. Residents of Albay are encouraged to remain vigilant and follow updates from the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and PHIVOLCS.
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