Mayon Volcano Crater Close-Up Cam

A Telephoto Lens on an Active Crater

Mounted with a long IR-corrected telephoto lens, this Raspberry Pi-based node closes in on the summit of Mayon Volcano, framing the crater rim in far greater detail than a wide-angle view can offer. The tight field of view is purpose-built to resolve rockfalls, glow, and subtle changes at the vent that a distant camera would miss entirely.

Mi-isi, Bonga and Basud Gullies

The optical axis covers Mayon's principal drainage channels: the Mi-isi Gully to the south, the primary route for lava effusion; the Bonga Gully to the southeast, frequently tracking pyroclastic material; and the Basud Gully to the east, the eastern flank's overflow perimeter. Together they form the classic radial drainage pattern of this near-symmetrical stratovolcano.

An Autonomous Monitoring Node

The camera runs as part of a resilient, independently engineered edge-computing station built around a Raspberry Pi and a back-illuminated CMOS sensor with an auto IR-cut filter, letting the crater stay visible around the clock. GNSS-synced timestamps allow researchers to correlate the visual feed precisely with independent seismic and meteorological data from the surrounding region.

One of the Philippines' Most Iconic Peaks

Rising over the Bicol Region in Albay province, Mayon Volcano is famed for its almost perfect conical symmetry and its long record of eruptive activity, making it a constant subject of scientific observation and a striking natural landmark for the communities living in its shadow.