Mayon Volcano keeps Alert Level 3 after 3 November ash plume

A 1,600-metre ash emission from Mayon Volcano on 3 November 2026 has kept the landmark near Legazpi under Alert Level 3. The activity concerns visitors because entry into the six-kilometre permanent danger zone remains prohibited.

Mayon Volcano ash plume keeps Alert Level 3 in force

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded minor Strombolian activity at the summit crater at 8.22am on 3 November. The plume drifted south-west, and light ashfall was reported in parts of Albay province.

The Philippine News Agency report said the 24-hour monitoring period also recorded 1,751 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, 13 volcanic earthquakes and one rockfall signal. The agency reported that 525 families, or 1,729 people, had been evacuated from the danger zone.

GMA News reported on 3 November that PHIVOLCS was watching signs of magma beneath the volcano and had warned that another eruption could be stronger or weaker. The broadcaster also confirmed that Alert Level 3 remained in place and that the six-kilometre zone was closed.

The 2,462-metre cone shapes the visit from Legazpi

Mayon rises to 2,462 metres in Albay province on the south-eastern island of Luzon. It is known for its near-symmetrical cone and stands close to Legazpi, the regional city identified in reports about the latest activity.

The 30 October eruption that preceded the November ash emission sent a column 3,000 metres above the crater and led PHIVOLCS to raise the alert from Level 2 to Level 3. An account of the 30 October eruption described the volcano as being in a new phase of magmatic eruption, with possible lava flows and pyroclastic density currents on its upper and middle slopes.

That sequence changes the practical meaning of a visit. The 3 November ash plume is not simply a distant landscape event: it confirms that the summit area is an active hazard zone, while the public viewpoints and city surroundings remain outside the restricted six-kilometre area.

November activity leaves the summit area off limits

PHIVOLCS and local authorities continue to monitor the volcano while evacuees remain in temporary shelters. Ash can move towards communities south-west of the cone, including parts of Albay, so conditions may differ between Legazpi and settlements closer to the slopes.

Aircraft have also been advised to avoid flying close to the summit. The alert status and access rules therefore matter to both ground visitors and travellers arriving through the wider Legazpi area.

Visiting Mayon Volcano: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The current activity was recorded at Mayon Volcano on 3 November 2026, when a 1,600-metre ash plume rose above the summit crater.
• Access to the six-kilometre permanent danger zone is prohibited while Alert Level 3 remains in force; the summit and upper slopes are not a visitor route.
• Mayon is in Albay province near Legazpi in the Philippines, with the city serving as the named regional reference point in current reports.
• The terrain includes steep volcanic slopes and summit hazards; the 2,462-metre elevation and the restricted danger zone make the upper mountain unsuitable for ordinary sightseeing.
• 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.

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Frequently asked questions about Mayon Volcano

When did the latest ash emission occur at Mayon Volcano?

PHIVOLCS recorded the latest reported ash emission at 8.22am on 3 November 2026. The plume rose 1,600 metres above the summit crater.

What has changed at Mayon Volcano?

Alert Level 3 remains in force and entry into the six-kilometre permanent danger zone is prohibited. Evacuations from the restricted area are continuing.

Where is Mayon Volcano and how do you get there?

The volcano is in Albay province on Luzon, near Legazpi in the Philippines. Current reports identify Legazpi as the regional city associated with the site.