Mayon’s activity in the past 24 hours was characterized by sporadic and weak lava fountaining, lava flow and degassing from the summit crater. Discrete seismic events associated with otherwise obscured lava fountaining that lasted six (6) to fifteen (15) minutes were recorded until 1:18 AM this morning. Incandescent lava fountains generated dirty white ash plumes that rose 500 meters from the summit before drifting west-northwest. Lava flow sustained at 3.3 kilometers, 4.5 kilometers and 900 meters on the Miisi, Bonga and Basud Gullies, respectively, from the summit crater. Pyroclastic density currents or PDCs remained confined within the farthest recorded reaches of 4.6, 5.2 and 4.2 kilometers on the Miisi, Bonga and Basud Gullies, respectively.

A total of one hundred eighty-three (183) volcanic earthquakes, corresponding to recharge of magma beneath the edifice and lava fountaining events, were recorded by Mayon's seismic monitoring network. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission was measured at an average of 2,148 tonnes/day on 19 February 2018. Electronic tilt and continuous GPS still record sustained swelling or inflation of the edifice since November and October 2017, consistent with pressurization by magmatic intrusion.

Alert Level 4 still remains in effect over Mayon Volcano. The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and desist from entering the eight (8) kilometer-radius danger zone, and to be additionally vigilant against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden stream flows along channels draining the edifice. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. DOST-PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.