LEGASPI, Philippines, Dec 20 (Reuters) -- The Philippines raised the alert level around the country's most active volcano on Sunday, warning of a possible hazardous eruption within days and extending a "no-go zone" up to 10 km (6 miles).
Mayon Volcano, known for its near-perfect cone shape in the coconut-growing central Bicol region, has been spewing ash and burning mud and rocks since Monday, chief vulcanologist Renato Solidum said.
"We raised the alert level to 4 ... meaning an eruption is within days," Solidum told Reuters after aerial inspection and other observations of the volcano showed increased activity in the past 24 hours.
Level 4 indicates an eruption is imminent and the maximum alert level of 5 means an eruption is underway, he said.
