WATCH: Meteor comes close to slopes of Mayon Volcano

State volcanologists on Monday night shared footage of a meteor coming close to the slopes of Mayon Volcano amid its ongoing volcanic activity.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the incident happened at 10:33 p.m. of May 25, 2026.

“LOOK!!! PHIVOLCS’ Ligñon Hill IP Camera records a meteor striking the northern slopes of Mayon Volcano at 10:33 PM this evening, 25 May 2026,” the caption of the footage read.

In a later post, PHIVOLCS clarified that the meteor did not hit the volcano’s slopes.

“UPDATE: Our review of seismic, infrasound and additional camera footages around the volcano indicate that the meteor disintegrated while in the atmosphere and did not strike the slopes of Mayon, contrary to our initial post,” it said.

According to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the vast majority of meteors burn up completely before reaching the ground.

"Meteors usually burn up at altitudes 60 to 100 kilometers above sea level. As they plunge through the atmosphere at extreme speeds, friction heats them so intensely that they vaporize. This heat also ionizes the air molecules around them, creating the bright, glowing streak we see as 'shooting stars.' Fragments that are large enough to survive atmospheric entry and hit the ground are classified as meteorites," PhilSA said as it confirmed the meteor sighting over Mayon.

Earlier on Monday night, PHIVOLCS reported the occurrence of lava effusion with collapse-fed pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and minor Strombolian activity at Mayon Volcano.

Mayon Volcano is on its 140th consecutive day of effusive eruption. — JMA/VBL, GMA News