Evacuations Underway as Mayon Volcano Shows Signs of Eruption

In a precautionary measure, nearly 3,000 villagers have been evacuated from the danger zone surrounding the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines following a rise in volcanic activity. The alert level was raised to 3 on January 7, 2026, due to a series of mild eruptions that have raised concerns among officials and residents alike.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the volcano has been experiencing intermittent rockfalls, some as large as cars, along with the emergence of pyroclastic flows—fast-moving avalanches of super-heated rock, ash, and gas. Teresito Bacolcol, the chief volcanologist, indicated that while the situation is serious, it is still too early to predict whether the volcanic unrest will escalate to a major explosive eruption, which would warrant an alert level 5.

The evacuation efforts have mobilized troops, police, and disaster-mitigation personnel, successfully relocating over 2,800 villagers from 729 households within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of the volcano’s crater. Additionally, around 600 villagers living outside the designated danger zone have chosen to evacuate voluntarily to government-run emergency shelters, prioritizing their safety amidst the growing threat.

Despite the longstanding prohibition on permanent settlement within the danger zone, many villagers have historically ignored these restrictions, establishing homes and farms in the area. Some have even engaged in lucrative businesses such as sand and gravel quarrying and tourism, drawn by the volcano’s stunning near-perfect cone shape, which makes it one of the Philippines’ top tourist attractions.

The Mayon Volcano, standing at 2,462 meters (8,007 feet), is notorious for its frequent eruptions, having erupted 54 times since records began in 1616. The haunting remnants of a 16th-century church, the belfry of which still stands amidst the volcanic landscape, serve as a stark reminder of the volcano’s deadly potential. This church was buried during an eruption in 1814 that claimed approximately 1,200 lives, including many who sought refuge within its walls.

The plight of the thousands living in the shadow of Mayon reflects a broader issue faced by many impoverished Filipinos. Many are forced to inhabit hazardous areas across the archipelago, whether near active volcanoes, on landslide-prone mountainsides, along vulnerable coastlines, or in low-lying regions susceptible to flash floods. The Philippines, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, with an average of 20 typhoons and storms impacting the country each year.

As the situation unfolds, authorities continue to monitor the volcanic activity closely, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and prioritize their safety in the face of nature’s unpredictable forces.