Mayon is a stratovolcano located in the Philippines, standing at an elevation of 2,462 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust tectonic setting. Maintained by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the official record documents 66 confirmed eruptions ranging from prehistoric activity dated via isotopic methods to historical events recorded through direct human observation.
The earliest recorded eruption in the database dates to the 31st century BCE (specifically around 3100 BCE with an estimated uncertainty of 300 years, established through uncalibrated carbon-14 isotopic evidence). Following early prehistoric records and an intervening eruption in the 5th century CE, the chronology becomes increasingly populated by reported historical observations, particularly across the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries CE.
Chronological Distribution of Recorded Eruptions
The Smithsonian record shows distinct concentrations of documented eruptive episodes across centuries, reflecting both the actual activity of the volcano and the varying levels of historical documentation available over time:
- 31st century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 5th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 17th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 18th century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 19th century CE: 32 confirmed eruptions
- 20th century CE: 13 confirmed eruptions
- 21st century CE: 16 confirmed eruptions
Among the documented events in the historical record, severity has varied. The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) assigned within the dataset is 4.0. For instance, an eruption spanning from May 23, 1897, to July 23, 1897, reached a VEI of 4.0 based on reported observations. In contrast, smaller-scale documented events, such as an eruption occurring between October 3 and October 31, 1893, registered a VEI of 1.0.
Recent Activity and Observation Methods
Activity at Mayon continues to be documented into the 21st century. A confirmed eruption sequence is recorded as beginning on January 6, 2026, and ending on March 25, 2026. Across the entirety of the 66 confirmed eruptions, evidence methods transition from isotopic dating for ancient prehistory to direct human observation for the vast majority of historical and modern events, backed by 61 recorded VEI observations in total.
Frequently asked questions
How many eruptions have been recorded at Mayon?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program records 66 confirmed eruptions for Mayon.
When did the earliest recorded eruption occur?
The earliest recorded eruption in the official database dates to the 31st century BCE (circa 3100 BCE), determined via uncalibrated carbon-14 isotopic evidence.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Mayon?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Mayon in the official record is 4.0.
Image credits
- Eugene Alvin Villar ( seav ) — Wikimedia Commons source — CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.