FACT CHECK: Viral photo of Mayon Volcano eruption is AI-generated

Claim: A photo shows the explosive eruption of Mayon Volcano, with lava flows seen on the volcano’s slopes. 

Rating: FALSE 

Why we fact-checked this: The post has already received 2,100 reactions, 672 comments, and 249 shares as of writing. It was posted on May 3, a day after Mayon Volcano spewed a massive ash cloud in Albay. 

The post shows a photo of Mayon Volcano spewing thick smoke and ash, with lava flowing down its slopes. 

The caption on the post reads, “Let’s all continue praying for the safety of everyone in Bicol, Philippines! Just now, the Mayon Volcano erupted and ash and lava continue to flow!” 

Most of the Facebook users in the comment section sounded the alarm and expressed worry about the safety of residents near the volcano. One commenter wrote, “God please keep safe my ka Bicolanos at ka Bicolana (fellow Bicolanos and fellow Bicolanas).” 

The facts: The photo was generated using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. AI detection tool Sight Engine flagged the image as 99% likely to be AI-generated, while Hive Moderation also detected 99.9% AI probability from the same photo. 

Reverse image search also did not show similar images coming from a reliable government or news source. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) did not post any image or footage showing a massive eruption on Mayon on May 3. Available videos posted by Phivolcs showed Mayon Volcano’s status on May 2 and May 4. 

Several social media accounts posted photos and a livestream of Mayon on May 3. Still, these images are different from the AI-generated photo’s exaggerated depiction of the volcano’s state of unrest.

Strombolian activity: Mayon Volcano exhibited minor strombolian activity on May 2. Strombolian activity is characterized by heavy pyroclastic density currents, resulting in a massive ash cloud and ashfall.
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office Head Robert Cristobal explained that the collapse of a lava dome resulted in an ash cloud, accompanied by lava fountaining from Mayon’s crater. 

Thousands were affected after the volcano’s ash blanketed various municipalities. In a post, Camalig Mayor Caloy Baldo showed photos of crops and produce covered in ash, threatening farmers’ source of income.
As of May 12, Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3. Phivolcs’ latest update reported lava effusion with lava flow on Basud, Bonga, and Mi-isi gullies, with episodic minor strombolian activity. The agency also recorded 21 volcanic earthquakes, including 14 volcanic tremors.

Alert Level 3 means there is intensified or magmatic unrest. Entry into the 6-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone surrounding Mayon is prohibited, and aircraft are also barred from flying close to the volcano.
Previous fact-checks: Rappler has previously fact-checked similar AI-generated images and videos of Mayon Volcano:

• FACT CHECK: Videos of Mayon eruption are AI-generated, volcano at Alert Level 3 as of January 9 
• FACT CHECK: AI-generated video misrepresented as Mayon Volcano eruption 
• FACT CHECK: Video of explosive Mayon eruption is AI-generated 
• FACT CHECK: No recent eruption at Mayon Volcano, video uses 2018 photos 

– Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com 

Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. 

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