CNN Philippines takes a look at recent developments that brought Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 3 within three days, as well as the hauntingly beautiful ways it erupted in the past that — although a sight to behold — posed great risks to Albay residents.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Mayon Volcano, the country’s most active volcano, astounds visitors with its nearly perfect cone, as it rests serenely beneath the clear blue skies of Albay.
But there are times, such as now when the 2,462-kilometer-high volcano is illuminated by blazing rivers of molten lava flowing down its slopes. Although it is a sight to behold, it poses a deadly threat to thousands of people.
Its continued unrest has so far forced nearly 14,000 people out of their homes situated within the surrounding foot of Mayon Volcano or the \”danger zone,\” the area at risk for lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.
The evacuation came after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded developing activities that brought the highly active stratovolcano to Alert Level 3 within three days.
What happened so far
State volcanologists upgraded the Mayon alert to level 2 on June 5 as a result of an increase in rockfall events from the volcano’s summit lava dome, which indicated that new magma was forming inside and pushing existing magma out.
Mayon Volcano was under Alert Level 1, indicating a low level of volcanic unrest, for three months.
On June 8, Alert Level 3 was raised after Mayon showed an increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption and potential explosive activity within weeks or even days.
“Since the alert Level status was raised from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 on June 5, repeated collapse of the growing summit dome of Mayon Volcano has generated an increasing number and volume of rockfall events,” Phivolcs explained.
Two days after, Mayon’s emission of sulfur dioxide — a toxic gas that could severely irritate the respiratory tract, eyes, mucous membranes, and skin — was measured at an average of 1,205 tons.
The Alert Level 3 status triggered the immediate evacuation of residents within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone, while those living inside the seven-kilometer radius extended danger zone were told to prepare to flee.
Danger zones may be expanded up to eight kilometers from the active crater of a volcano showing a high level of unrest.
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Since then, Mayon Volcano has been spewing bright orange lava down its slopes, which have descended 800 to 1,000 meters.
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