The Philippines’ most active volcano has exploded sending a huge column of ash into the sky and prompting authorities to raise the alert level - meaning a hazardous eruption may be imminent.

The footage, captured on January 21, shows a massive plume of ash and steam rising up in the air.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated since Mayon started acting up more than a week ago.

Mount Mayon has erupted about 50 times in the last 500 years, reports say.

++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN LOOPED++

Mayon Volcano erupted a large amount of ash and smoke, forming a column reaching about 10 kilometers in height prompting officials to raise the alert level and several towns covered in ash.