Mayon volcano exhibiting abnormal behavior

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The alert level on Mayon volcano in Albay has been risen to Level 1 after it started exhibiting abnormal behavior, a state agency said today.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that in the past 36 hours, three weeks after phreatic explosion on May 7, fumes and crater glow were observed.

"PHIVOLCS is raising the alert status of Mayon from Alert Level 0 to Alert Level 1 as a precaution to the public that the volcano is exhibiting abnormal behavior," it said in a Bulletin issued as of 5:00 p.m. local time on Friday.

With this, the agency is warning the public from entering the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone due to perennial danger of life-threatening rockfalls, avalanches, ash puffs and sudden phreatic or steam-driven eruptions.

Mayon's alert level status may further change if significant changes in monitoring parameters occur, it said.

PHIVOLCS also advised residents around the volcano to remain vigilant and to keep abreast of updates on Mayon's condition through local and national officials.

On May 7, Mayon's phreatic explosion killed seven people, four of them foreigners, who were climbing the cone-like volcano.