Located less than 500 miles south of Metro Manila, Mayon Volcano is a near-perfect cone volcano that is listed as one of the seven wonders in the world. Mt. Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines and has erupted 49 times since its first documented eruption in 1616.
Recent events showing that “hazardous explosive eruption is possible within days" has prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise the alert status Level 4 and established an extended danger zone around it, saying an eruption is imminent.
VOLCANO ALERT LEVELS
AP Photo
Level 0: No alert
Level 1: Abnormal
Level 2: Increasing unrest
Level 3: Increased tendency toward eruption
Level 4: Level 5: Hazardous eruption
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
On Sunday, Dec. 20th, the institute said the central Philippine volcano continues "to exhibit a high level of activity," adding that 222 volcanic quakes and tremors have been recorded in recent days. One was "an explosion-type earthquake" that launched a cloud of ash about 1,640 feet into the air, according to an institute statement.
Phivolcs recommended extending already-established danger zones of nearly five miles radius around the summit.
In addition, "areas just outside of this extended danger zone should prepare for evacuation in the event explosive eruptions intensify," the institute said.
Phivolcs has predicted Mayon to spew out about 80 million cubic yards of lava, following a 6-mile ash column up in the sky in a major eruption before the end of the year.
More than 30,000 people have already fled their homes last week, and authorities were attempting to evacuate an additional 50,000 people living around the 8,077-foot volcano.
People in surrounding Albay province have flocked to town centers to catch a glimpse of glowing lava cascading down the slopes of Mayon since the mountain began oozing fiery lava and belching clouds of ash last week.
The Philippines is situated in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
In 1814, Mayon had its most violent eruption, killing more than 1,200 people. Its last major eruption was in 1993. Since then, it has remained restless, emitting ash and spewing lava.
Photo from : tourism-philippines.com
Comments
Wow first the typhoons, now a volcano eruption... I hope everything turns out for the best.
Hoping and praying in behalf of those in the affected areas for a miracle!