Muscat: Mayon Volcano, the Philippines' most active volcano, erupted today, covering surrounding villages with ash, authorities said.

According to Oman News Agency, about 52 villages in Albay province, 330 kilometres southeast of Manila, have been affected since Saturday, with lava beginning to flow down the mountain's slopes, the Philippine News Agency reported.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of possible rockfalls and landslides, as well as lava flows, volcanic fountains and medium-intensity explosions.

The volcano's most violent eruption on record was in 1814, killing more than 1,200 people and burying an entire town under volcanic mud. Another eruption in 1993 killed 79 people.