The restive Mayon volcano had four volcanic earthquakes Sunday according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The volcano which remains under Alert Level 2 status, has recorded a total of 43 volcanic earthquakes from July 6-12, 2009, Phivolcs’ latest Mayon Volcano update stated.

Mt. Mayon’s crater glow also remained at Intensity II and its steaming activity still at moderate level.

Mt. Mayon was placed under Alert Level 2 last July 10 because of the increase in its activities since June 2009. The volcano in Legaspi, Albay known for its near-perfect cone shape was on Alert level 1 from October 2006 to June 2009.

Alert Level 2 means “a state of unrest which could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption.”

Phivolcs strongly recommends that the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes.

“Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar-prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall,” Phivolcs warned.