MANILA
• The Philippines has raised the alert level at its restive Mayon volcano for the second time in less than 24 hours, from "increasing unrest" to "increased tendency towards eruption" within weeks or even days. Mr Solidum, the chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also described Mayon's current activity as a non-explosive magmatic eruption, but he would not rule out a more dangerous volcanic explosion in coming days. After observing three small explosions triggered by steam and numerous rockslides, scientists fear a “hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days.” In a statement, PHIVOLCS said a giant dome is growing on the mountainside, signifying lava is on the move. After three phreatic or steam-driven eruptions and 158 rockfall events between 4.21pm on Saturday local time and 7.25pm yesterday, Phivolcs said Mayon's summit crater "is now exhibiting bright crater glow that signifies the growth of a new lava dome and beginnings of lava flow towards the southern slopes". Already, the authorities have ordered the evacuation of residents within the 6km radius permanent danger zone and a 7km extended danger zone on the southern flank due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows. A popular tourist attraction because of its near-perfect cone, Mayon lies in coconut-producing Albay province, about 340 kilometres (210 miles) southeast of Manila.
The Mayon volcano begins to erupt in the Philippines.