After observing a “significant increase” in volcanic activities in the last two days, state volcanologists warned Friday about the “high possibility of eruption” from the perfect-coned Mount Mayon in Legazpi, Albay province.

Citiing reports from its seismic network, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that Mayon Volcano had a total 248 volcanic quakes and tremors since Monday.

In a statement, PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum explained that 50 of these events were explosion type, wherein minor explosions produced volcanic earthquakes and tremors.

“However, only seven were observed during times of good visibility. These explosions produced dark gray to dark brown ash columns that reached a maximum height of up to 1000 meters above the summit before drifting towards southwest,” Solidum said.

The top PHIVOLCS official added that there has been an intensified glow in the crater of Mount Mayon on Thursday evening while the volcabno’s steaming activity ranged from dirty white to light brown in color during the cloud break observed on Friday morning.

Solidum also warned that the lava spewed from Mayon Volcano since Monday continue to advance, reaching approximately tree kilometers downslope from the crater while fragments from lava pile continuously roll down along Bonga gully.

While lava fragments have reached about three to four kilometers along the slopes of Mount Mayon, he noted that the emission rate of Sulfur dioxide has been recorded at its highest 1,065 tonnes per day.

But despite the significant increase in volcanic activities, PHIVOLCS maintained an alert status of Level 3 or relatively high unrest, recommending the banning of human activities within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around Mayon.

Due to the lingering threats of sudden explosions that could generate hazardous volcanic flows, PHIVOLCS also advised to maintain the seven-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano.

At the same time, Solidum advised residents living outside the extended danger zone but within eight kilometers away from the crater in the southern part of the volcano to be “extra alert for increased volcanic activity.”

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

On Monday, PHIVOLCS declared Mount Mayon under from Alert Level 2 or moderate unrest to Alert Level 3 or relatively high unrest after observing five minor explosions and increase in Sulfur dioxide emission.

Refusing to give any timetable, volcanologists say that Mayon may explode but assured that the eruption will not be as destructive and as explosive as the explosion of Mount Pinatubo in Zambales back in 1990.

Mount Mayon, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the country and has been popular around the world for its perfect triangle form, last erupted in 1814, killing about 1,200 residents.