The Philippines' most active volcano spewed lava that cascaded downslope and emitted ash that fell on nearby towns, state volcanologists said on Tuesday, prompting to shut more schools.
Mount Mayon, a volcano in the coconut-growing central Bicol region that draws tourists because of its near-perfect cone shape, has shown increased restiveness since Saturday, displacing thousands of residents.
Phivolcs said the advancing lava and pyroclastic flows had reached the six-kilometre radius no-go zone, from which some residents fled.
"Alert level 3 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days," it said.
Alert level 4 means an eruption is possible "within days" while level 5 is when a hazardous eruption is under way.
The Albay provincial government has expanded its class suspension order to include more towns around the 2,462-metre volcano, and advised travellers to avoid ashfall-hit villages amid poor road visibility, reports Reuters.
Class suspensions have allowed the government to use schools as temporary shelters for displaced people.
