Watch: Meteor from outer space crashes above erupting volcano in the Philippines
A video from the Philippines showed a blazing object appearing to plunge towards erupting Mayon Volcano. Phivolcs said it disintegrated in the atmosphere, even as Mayon remained under Alert Level 3.
A dramatic video from the Philippines has captured what looked like a meteor crashing into the erupting Mayon Volcano, creating a rare and almost cinematic moment in the night sky. But scientists say the fiery object never actually hit the volcano.
The glowing streak appeared above the volcano as lava and ash burst from Mayon during a period of volcanic unrest on Monday evening. In the video, the bright object seems to plunge directly toward the volcano’s peak before disappearing, leading many online to believe a meteor had slammed into the eruption.
However, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, commonly known as Phivolcs, later clarified that the meteor disintegrated in the atmosphere and did not strike the volcano.
The sighting happened during an active phase of Mayon’s eruption. Earlier that evening, the volcano produced lava collapse-fed pyroclastic density currents, locally known as “uson.” These are fast-moving clouds of hot gas, ash and volcanic rock that race down the slopes of a volcano and can be extremely dangerous.
According to Phivolcs, the pyroclastic flows were observed at 7:20 p.m. and again at 7:26 p.m. along the Mi-isi and Basud gullies. At 7:25 p.m., the volcano also showed minor strombolian activity, short explosive bursts that threw glowing volcanic material into the air and created brief lava fountains.
The timing of the meteor sighting alongside the eruption made the footage especially striking. Social media users quickly shared clips of the event, with many calling it a once-in-a-lifetime scene.
Mayon Volcano, famous for its near-perfect cone shape, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. It has erupted dozens of times in recorded history and remains under close monitoring.
Phivolcs said Alert Level 3 remains in place over the volcano. This means the volcano is in a state of increased unrest and that hazardous eruptions are still possible. Authorities continue to warn residents and visitors to stay away from the permanent danger zone around the volcano because of the risks posed by lava flows, ashfall and sudden pyroclastic currents.
While the meteor never touched the volcano, the video still captured two powerful natural events unfolding in the same moment, an erupting volcano beneath a blazing object tearing through the night sky.
A dramatic video from the Philippines has captured what looked like a meteor crashing into the erupting Mayon Volcano, creating a rare and almost cinematic moment in the night sky. But scientists say the fiery object never actually hit the volcano.
The glowing streak appeared above the volcano as lava and ash burst from Mayon during a period of volcanic unrest on Monday evening. In the video, the bright object seems to plunge directly toward the volcano’s peak before disappearing, leading many online to believe a meteor had slammed into the eruption.
However, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, commonly known as Phivolcs, later clarified that the meteor disintegrated in the atmosphere and did not strike the volcano.
The sighting happened during an active phase of Mayon’s eruption. Earlier that evening, the volcano produced lava collapse-fed pyroclastic density currents, locally known as “uson.” These are fast-moving clouds of hot gas, ash and volcanic rock that race down the slopes of a volcano and can be extremely dangerous.
According to Phivolcs, the pyroclastic flows were observed at 7:20 p.m. and again at 7:26 p.m. along the Mi-isi and Basud gullies. At 7:25 p.m., the volcano also showed minor strombolian activity, short explosive bursts that threw glowing volcanic material into the air and created brief lava fountains.
The timing of the meteor sighting alongside the eruption made the footage especially striking. Social media users quickly shared clips of the event, with many calling it a once-in-a-lifetime scene.
Mayon Volcano, famous for its near-perfect cone shape, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. It has erupted dozens of times in recorded history and remains under close monitoring.
Phivolcs said Alert Level 3 remains in place over the volcano. This means the volcano is in a state of increased unrest and that hazardous eruptions are still possible. Authorities continue to warn residents and visitors to stay away from the permanent danger zone around the volcano because of the risks posed by lava flows, ashfall and sudden pyroclastic currents.
While the meteor never touched the volcano, the video still captured two powerful natural events unfolding in the same moment, an erupting volcano beneath a blazing object tearing through the night sky.
