A volcano known for its perfect cone shape blasted hot ash into the sky after erupting in the Philippines.
The Mayon Volcano erupted shortly before midday local time today, sending a giant mushroom cloud above the popular visitor attraction.
The ‘moderately explosive’ eruption lasted for almost six minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Footage shows a cloud of ash billowing from the crater towering at 8,000 ft in Bicol, Albay province, within a UNESCO-designated nature reserve.
The alert level was raised to three due to the risk of lava flows bursting out from parts of the crater in the coming days or weeks.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro's newsletter or get alerts the moment it happens.
A permanent danger zone should be set up and residents evacuated within a 3.7-mile radius, Phivolcs warned.
Pilots have also been told to avoid flying over the volcano.
The agency said: ‘It is therefore recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) be evacuated due to the danger of PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls and other volcanic hazards.
‘Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining the edifice is also advised.
‘Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. Based on the current prevailing wind pattern, ash fall events may most likely occur on the south side of the volcano.’
Mayon is a popular tourist destination due to its even cone-shaped crater, with more than 500,000 visitors every year.
Eruptions and seismic activity can often cause an uptick in visits as people flock to see the lava flows from safe viewing points.
The volcano, with its name derived from the Bicolano word Mayayon meaning beautiful, is a sacred site in ancient Philippine mythology.
Volcanoes in the Philippines
The Philippines is dotted with 24 active volcanoes, and the country sits on the Pacific ‘ring of fire.’
It flanks the horseshoe-shaped zone known for frequent seismic activity and destructive eruptions across the Pacific Ocean.
The country is located between tectonic plates – the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, increasing the risk of underwater earthquakes and activity.
Mayon Volcano is known to be the most active, while Taal Volcano and Mount Pinatubo have also erupted.
Previously, Mayon erupted on January 6 this year, a seismic event that is still ongoing.
Mount Pinatubo was responsible for one of the largest eruptions of the entire 20th century when it exploded in 1991.
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.