The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued an alert following the increased activity of Mayon Volcano, the most active volcano in the Philippines, which has erupted 4 times since 2006... "On 16 September the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council put the area around the Mayon Volcano in Bicol, Southern Luzon, under Alert Level 3, due to volcanic activity and the risk of an eruption. Alert Level 3 means that Mayon “is exhibiting relatively high unrest and that magma is at the crater,” it said, adding that “hazardous eruption is possible within weeks.” PHILVOCS advised authorities to enforce the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the south-eastern flank due to the danger of “rock falls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.” There are numerous volcanoes in Philippines, any of which can erupt without warning. Sudden steam and ash explosions may occur at any time. The capacity of the Philippine emergency and rescue services to deal with large natural disasters is limited. Check news reports and follow local advice before travelling to volcanic areas. Avoid volcanic areas during and immediately after heavy rainfall when there is increased risk of lava flows. You can find more information on the PHIVOLCS website."
Thousands evacuated as Mayon volcano glows red "The Philippines has evacuated more than 12,000 people from around the foot of its most active volcano as the crater glows red and authorities warn of a possible eruption. Mount Mayon, known for its near-perfect cone shape in the coconut-growing central Bicol region, has recorded a series of recent quakes and rockfalls, indicating a possible eruption within weeks. "We are now raising the alert status of Mayon Volcano from alert level 2 to 3," Renato Solidum, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said on Tuesday. Joey Salceda, governor of the central Albay province, said more than 12,000 people were forcibly evacuated." http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/16/14/thousands-evacuated-mayon-volcano-glows-red
I hope it does not experience a very large phreatic eruption both for the sake of the local people but also because I hope that its conic perfection does not get destroyed, I know it will probably one day be blown apart but I would like to see it as it is now one day and of course one can only hope that no one is killed if it does go off big time.
"A hazardous eruption is possible within weeks," the head of the Philippines' volcano agency, Renato Solidum, told AFP. "It's already erupting, but not explosive. Currently, the activity is just lava coming down. If there is an explosion, all sides of the volcano are threatened." http://www.weather.com/news/mayon-volcano-eruption-philippines-evacuations-20140916
From Phivolcs MAYON VOLCANO BULLETIN 17 September 2014 8:00 A.M. Mayon Volcano’s (13.2500°N, 123.6833°E) seismic network recorded forty five (38) volcanic earthquakes and two hundred seventy (277) rock fall events during the past 24-hour observation period. Intensity III (bright) crater glow was visible last night, although rain clouds prevented visual observation of the crater during the day. Rolling incandescent rockfall within the uppermost reaches of the Bonga Gully last night indicates that the summit lava dome is breaching the crater in its southeastern side. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux was measured at an average of 457 tonnes/day on 12 September 2014 although SO2 emission rates peaked at 2,360 tonnes/day on 06 September 2014. Ground deformation data showed inflationary changes in the edifice from February 2014 based on precise leveling surveys on the 3rd week of August 2014, and edifice inflation from January 2012 baselines based on continuous tilt measurement. All the above data indicate that the volcano is exhibiting relatively high unrest due to the movement of potentially eruptible magma. Mayon Volcano’s alert status has been raised to Alert Level 3. This means that magma is at the crater and that hazardous eruption is possible within weeks. It is recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank be enforced due to the danger of rock falls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows. PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.
When I read about this volcano I immediately looked on the map as I am going to the provinces this Xmas. Luckily it is not nearby, but then I read the island I am going to (Biliran) is one big active volcano! Its last eruption was a phreatic explosion in 1939; that is the only recorded history of any volcanic eruption on Biliran...
Its a volcanic island arc. So no surprises there. Theres a volcano on every street corner. Biliran is one in an arc of active volcanos that runs parallel to the subduction trench to the east.
I have never seen an active volcano - the only volcano I ever climbed is extinct. The Scottish members will know it well - Arthur's Seat.
"Philippines' Mayon Volcano: Risk of 'Imminent Eruption' as Lava Flows and Earthquakes Shake Region" http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/philippine...n-lava-flows-earthquakes-shake-region-1471018
I have a great deal of confidence in Philvolcs - they "called" the eruption of the "extinct" Pinatubo correctly. However, there is a proviso; they have been suffering a "brain drain" as their staff are badly paid and very employable internationally...
Yep it is and it's one part of an extinct volcano from 350 million years ago, never climbed it myself but I have been up castle rock
