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Filipino authorities have confirmed that a viral video purportedly showing an explosive eruption at Mayon Volcano is AI-generated content spreading false information about the active volcano’s current state.
The deceptive video, which has garnered 2.7 million views, 41,000 reactions, and over 7,000 shares on Facebook, depicts dramatic scenes of thick ash plumes billowing from Mayon Volcano. A “Wednesday” sticker overlay and caption reading “Ingat mga kababayan sa Bicol” (Keep safe, fellow countrymen in Bicol) suggested the eruption occurred on January 7, causing significant concern among residents in the volcano’s vicinity.
Multiple AI detection tools have conclusively identified the footage as artificial. Hive Moderation flagged the video as 99.3% likely to contain AI-generated content, while Decopy AI detected a 100% probability of artificial content based on video screenshots. Sight Engine similarly identified the material as 98% likely to be AI-generated.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) did release authentic time-lapse footage on January 7, showing pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) flowing down Mayon’s slopes following a lava dome collapse at the summit. However, this official footage bears no resemblance to the fabricated video’s explosive ash plumes.
Some social media users challenged the video’s authenticity, with one commenter sharing a current photograph of Mayon with the note, “Nag-agi pa sana ako now Wednesday…ini po su picture ko sa Mayon today dahil mauran po digdi sa Bicol” (I just passed by the volcano now, Wednesday. This is my picture of Mayon today because it’s raining here in Bicol).
While the video is fake, Mayon Volcano is experiencing genuine volcanic unrest. As of January 15, the volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified or magmatic unrest. On January 14 alone, authorities recorded 207 rockfall events and 27 pyroclastic density currents.
The ongoing activity has prompted the evacuation of more than 4,000 Albay residents. Local authorities are prepared to evacuate additional people within the 8-kilometer-radius extended danger zone if Phivolcs raises the alert level to 4.
Adding to the region’s challenges, authorities have initiated preemptive evacuations in parts of Albay vulnerable to lahar flows and flooding as Tropical Depression Ada approaches, expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Bicol region.
This isn’t the first instance of misinformation regarding Mayon Volcano. Fact-checkers at Rappler have previously debunked false claims about the volcano’s status, noting a pattern of AI-generated videos being used to misrepresent Mayon’s actual condition.
The spread of such misleading content highlights growing concerns about AI-generated misinformation during natural disasters and emergencies. Social media platforms continue to struggle with effectively labeling or removing such content before it reaches large audiences and potentially triggers unnecessary panic.
Residents in affected areas are advised to rely on official announcements from Phivolcs and local disaster management agencies for accurate information about volcanic activity and evacuation protocols.
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8 Comments
Mayon Volcano is an active and dangerous volcano, so it’s worrying to see a fake video like this circulating. I hope the public heeds official warnings and safety advice from Phivolcs, rather than relying on unverified online content.
It’s concerning to see how advanced AI technology can be used to create such convincing yet false content. This incident underscores the need for robust fact-checking and media literacy efforts to combat the spread of misinformation.
This is a timely reminder of the importance of verifying information, especially when it comes to natural disasters and hazards. I hope the public continues to rely on authoritative sources like Phivolcs for accurate updates on Mayon Volcano.
It’s concerning to see misinformation like this AI-generated video spreading about Mayon Volcano. Authorities should take action to curb the spread of such deceptive content, which could cause undue panic among residents.
While AI can be used for many beneficial purposes, its misuse to create deceptive content is a concerning trend. We need stronger regulations and enforcement to ensure AI is not exploited to spread misinformation.
This highlights the need for better AI detection tools and media literacy education to help people identify fake content online. It’s crucial that the public has access to accurate, verified information about natural disasters and hazards.
Kudos to the authorities for quickly debunking this AI-generated video. Maintaining public trust in official information sources is crucial, especially when it comes to natural hazards and emergency situations.
I’m glad the authorities were able to quickly identify this video as AI-generated and dispel the false information. Maintaining public trust in official sources is so important during times of uncertainty or crisis.