Alert Raised as Explosions Rock Mayon in the Philippines

Ash billowing after a phreatic (steam-driven) eruption at Mayon in the Philippines on January 13, 2018. PHIVOLCS. Mayon in the Philippines hasn't erupted since 2014, but it appears that it is waking up from its brief slumber. PHIVOLCS raised the alert status at Mayon to Level 3 (on a scale of 0-5) after a weekend of steam-driven (phreatic) eruptions and hundreds of earthquakes. This change in alert level came with a mandatory evacuation of people living within six kilometers of the volcano and seven kilometers from the southern side because of the potential for rock falls and pyroclastic flows. Schools in the area have also closed due to the new eruptive activity. The latest PHIVOLCS report also mentions that a strong glow was observed at the summit crater and a new summit dome and small lava flow on the southeast flanks. UPDATE 1/15/2018 8:00 AM: PHIVOLCS released a picture that shows the long lava flow and glowing rockfalls on the flanks of Mayon (see below). Over 9,000 people have been evacuated from the area near the volcano so far and more could come if the eruption worsens. Some flights have been canceled as well due to the activity at Mayon. PHIVOLCS also maintains a webcam pointed at Mayon, although the weather makes it difficult to see much of the volcano right now.