A dazzling meteor burned through the atmosphere above an erupting volcano in the Philippines, creating a striking natural spectacle. The green fireball streaked across the sky as lava flowed down the slopes of Mount Mayon, a highly active volcano, on the evening of May 25.
This phenomenon was captured by cameras livestreaming the eruption around 10:33 p.m. local time. Onlookers described the event as astonishing and rare, with one local comparing the meteor's brightness to a missile. Witnesses reported the meteor burning bright green and white for less than a second before disappearing into the clouds.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) initially suggested that the meteor might have struck the volcano's northern slopes. However, after further review of seismic and camera data, the agency confirmed that the space rock disintegrated in the atmosphere and did not impact Mount Mayon.
"Our review of seismic, infrasound and additional camera footages around the volcano indicate that the meteor disintegrated while in the atmosphere and did not strike the slopes of Mayon, contrary to our initial post," PHIVOLCS stated on social media.
If the meteor had impacted the volcano, it likely would have left a noticeable mark. One local astronomer calculated the meteor's energy to be equivalent to approximately 6.8 million kilograms of gunpowder. PHIVOLCS recorded 27 volcanic tremors and 341 rockfalls in the 24 hours surrounding the meteor's appearance, but no data suggested a ground impact or an explosion felt on the surface.
Mount Mayon, located on Luzon island, is one of the most active volcanoes globally. At the time of the meteor's passage, the volcano was in its 140th consecutive day of effusive eruption, characterized by lava flowing onto the surface. This activity has been continuously filmed by multiple cameras.
While the coincidence of a meteor appearing over an active eruption might seem incredibly rare, the likelihood is statistically higher due to continuous observation of active volcanoes and the constant influx of space debris into Earth's atmosphere. Approximately 25 million pieces of debris enter Earth's atmosphere daily, creating shooting stars as they burn up due to friction at speeds up to 72,400 km/h (45,000 mph). The intense heat, around 1,600°C (2,912°F), vaporizes most of this debris.
Meteors can display vibrant colors due to trace amounts of metals and minerals that alter the flame's color during atmospheric entry. For instance, magnesium can produce blue-green streaks, similar to flame tests conducted in chemistry, though the processes differ. Most meteors appear white or yellow, but elements like sodium can cause orange-yellow colors, iron can create yellow hues, calcium can result in violet flashes, and magnesium can produce blue-green trails.
Earth's atmosphere typically protects against space rocks, with only the largest pieces having a chance to reach the ground, often as small fragments. While significant impacts are rare, the planet has had close calls with larger asteroids. For example, the asteroid 2026 JH2 recently passed Earth at a distance of approximately 90,000 kilometers (56,000 miles), a distance described by scientists as extremely close.