Manila, Jan. 7 -- A total of 131 rockfall events were recorded in Mayon Volcano in the past 24 hours, but raising its alert status to Level 4 is unlikely for now, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday.

The latest number of rockfalls is higher than the 85 rockfall events recorded in Mayon Volcano between Jan. 5 and 6.

Earlier, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol explained that the sharp increase in rockfall events indicated increasing instability at the volcano's summit, which is commonly associated with magma rising from below.

Because of elevated unrest, the Phivolcs raised Mayon Volcano's alert status from Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Level 3 (increased tendency towards a ha...