About 13,000 residents in the southwest region of the main island of Luzon had evacuated their homes when the Mayon volcano started spewing rivers of molten lava and sulfuric gas on June 11.
Volcanic Eruption Brewing in the Philippines
The government agency Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recommended evacuating everyone within the 3.7-mile radius of Mayon Volcano. This area, also known as the danger zone, is the spot in danger of landslides, rockfalls, and ballistic fragments.
When the alert level on Mayon volcano was raised to 3 on a five-step warning system on June 8, about 88% of residents staying in the 3.7-mile radius were relocated. Soon after detecting a relatively high level of unrest at the Mayon volcano, PHIVOLCS warned of a hazardous eruption that could happen in the coming weeks or days.
The Mayon Volcano Network has recorded 21 weak volcanic earthquakes and 260 rockfalls since June 11. The agency also reported lava flow activity and three pyroclastic density flows. These currents refer to the fast stream of ash, hot gases, and debris rushing down the volcano's slopes. As a result, a possible ashfall is expected on the southern side of Mayon.
According to PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol, the agency is closely monitoring the situation of the Mayon volcano, and they could raise the alert level to 4 if increased volcano earthquakes and edifice inflation is observed. On the night of June 11, the monitoring tools observed an effusive eruption with lava flows reaching 1,640 feet from the summit of the volcano.
"Lava flows are slow moving and effusive eruptions are generally less violent and produce less ash and volcanic gases than explosive eruptions," said Bacolcol.
Family members carry their belongings as they board trucks and military vehicles to take shelter at evacuation sites in local schools. As the entire province of Albay was placed under a state of calamity on June 9, response funds were released by the government to support the needs of the affected residents.
Aside from the residents, almost 10,000 farm animals were also evacuated by the authorities and were transferred to feeding sites and shelters. These include goats, cows, and pigs, equally threatened by the volcanic eruption.
How Active is Mayon Volcano?
Mayon is considered the most active volcano in the Philippines, along with 23 other active volcanoes. Classified as a highly active stratovolcano, Mayon is famous for having a symmetrical shape.
The earliest recorded outburst by the Mayon volcano occurred in 1616, with an eruption type that falls under Strombolian and basaltic Plinian. Most of its cyclical activity begins with basaltic eruption succeeded by andesitic lava flows.
Its last eruption occurred in 2018 when tens of thousands of villagers were displaced. Another historical eruption happened in 1814 when entire villages were buried, and more than 1,200 people reportedly died.
Mayon Volcano is located on the island of Luzon, about 205 miles southeast of Metro Manila. The country is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a path of seismic faults where most of the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the world occur.
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