The Philippines' most active volcano could have a huge eruption within days, officials have warned after detecting a drastic surge in earthquakes in surrounding foothills.

Tens of thousands of villagers have been evacuated as a precaution after scientists raised the alert level for the Mayon volcano (right) after 453 volcanic earthquakes were detected in a five-hour span yesterday. This compares to just over 200 on Saturday, said Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

The five-step warning system was raised to level four, meaning a hazardous eruption “is possible within days”. Army troops and police will intensify patrols to enforce a round-the-clock ban on villagers moving within a five-mile danger zone around the 8,070-foot mountain, said Governor Joey Salceda of Albay province.