Mayon Volcano records Strombolian activity on 11 October

Mayon Volcano (Mayon) recorded minor Strombolian activity at 3.18am on 11 October 2026, bringing fresh access restrictions for travellers near Legazpi in the Philippines. The event occurred above the crater summit and produced a plume that rose 500 metres before drifting west-northwest.

The activity was reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, known as PHIVOLCS, while Alert Level 2 remained in force.

Mayon Volcano records Strombolian activity on 11 October

State seismologists observed the activity at 3.18am on 11 October. The term describes low-level, intermittent volcanic explosions that can eject incandescent lava fragments or bursts of expanding gases.

The plume was captured by PHIVOLCS special cameras. The 11 October activity report placed the volcano in Albay under Alert Level 2, described as moderate volcanic unrest. The same report said that intermittent steam or ash explosions can occur at this level.

The date matters for visits planned during the current travel window. This is a fresh volcanic event at the summit, rather than a general description of the mountain or a report about an earlier eruption.

Mayon Volcano Natural Park frames the new activity

The volcano rises 2,462 metres above Albay in the Bicol Region of southeastern Luzon. The National Museum of the Philippines describes it as the country’s most active volcano and records its symmetrical profile above the province.

Mayon was proclaimed a national park in 1938, while the present Mayon Volcano Natural Park was established in 2000. The surrounding landscape also carries a direct historical link to volcanic activity: the museum says the 1814 eruption destroyed five nearby towns, including Cagsawa, whose ruins remain a recognised cultural site.

That history gives the 11 October activity a practical context. The cone is not simply a viewpoint or backdrop for Legazpi; its summit remains an active monitored system. The National Museum background also records the park’s scientific and conservation importance.

Visiting Mayon Volcano: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The relevant activity occurred at 3.18am on 11 October 2026 above the crater summit.
• Entry into the permanent danger zone is prohibited while Alert Level 2 remains in force. The summit area is therefore not an ordinary walking or sightseeing zone.
• Mayon stands in Albay near Legazpi, in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. Views from safer areas around the city and province are separate from access to the crater.
• The mountain is a high volcanic cone with a crater summit and terrain shaped by past eruptions. Travellers should treat the permanent danger zone and official volcanic restrictions as defining conditions for any approach.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

Searching for Mayon Volcano on social platforms

These links open searches for Mayon Volcano on each platform.

Frequently asked questions about Mayon Volcano

When did the Strombolian activity take place at Mayon Volcano?

PHIVOLCS observed the activity at 3.18am on 11 October 2026 above the crater summit. It generated a plume rising 500 metres and drifting west-northwest.

What is the current access rule at Mayon Volcano?

Entry into the permanent danger zone is prohibited while Alert Level 2 remains in force. The restriction applies to the summit danger area rather than to every viewpoint in the wider Albay region.

Where is Mayon Volcano and how do you get there?

The volcano is in Albay in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, near Legazpi. Safer viewing areas around the city and province are distinct from the prohibited crater zone.