This is the spectacular moment a phreatic eruption occurred at the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines.

Footage captured by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) shows a gas plume bursting from the volcano's crater in Albay province at 4:37 pm local time on February 4.

PHIVOLCS said the phreatic explosion - which is caused by steam heated by volcanic activity - lasted 169 seconds and 'generated a booming sound, rockfall, pyroclastic density currents, and a 1,200-metre-tall plume.'

PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol said: 'So far after the eruption, no more volcanic activities were observed. In fact, we have not recorded any volcanic earthquake for the fourth day now since February 1.

'This is good. It means no magma is rising.'

PHIVOLCS said Mayon Volcano is currently at Alert Level 2, with possible steam and sulfur dioxide emissions, volcanic earthquakes, and intermittent steam or ash explosions.

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands inside the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' where the majority of Earth's volcano eruptions and earthquakes happen.