Philippines’ Mayon Volcano spews lava down its slopes in gentle eruption putting thousands on alert

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Mayon Volcano in the Philippines has entered a gentle eruption, causing concern for the safety of thousands of people in the area. As volcanic activity increased last week, over 12,600 individuals from impoverished farming communities within a 6-kilometer radius of the volcano’s crater were evacuated. However, many others still reside in the permanent danger zone, a forbidden area where generations have lived due to lack of alternative options.

On Sunday night, the volcano began expelling lava, prompting authorities to consider expanding the high-risk zone if the eruption becomes more violent. Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, advised those within the expanded danger zone to be prepared for immediate evacuation to emergency shelters.

Bacolcol explained that the current eruption is classified as effusive, and the situation is being monitored on a daily basis. Journalists from Big Big News observed the lava flow down the volcano’s southeastern gullies for several hours on Sunday night. Tourists and locals in the nearby city of Legazpi captured pictures of the picturesque volcano, which attracts visitors due to its distinctive conical shape.

To facilitate swift distribution of disaster relief funds in case of a major eruption, a state of emergency was declared in Albay province on Friday. Mayon Volcano’s alert level had been raised to three on a five-step system, indicating high unrest and the possibility of a hazardous eruption in the coming weeks or days.

Bacolcol stated that as long as the lava flow remains gentle, the alert level will remain at three. However, if the eruption intensifies, the alert level may be raised further. The highest level, five, would indicate a violent and life-threatening eruption with ash plumes and pyroclastic streams posing significant danger to communities near the volcano’s foothills.

Mayon is one of the 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines. Its last violent eruption occurred in 2018, displacing tens of thousands of villagers. Historical records indicate that in 1814, the eruption of Mayon resulted in the burial of entire villages and the loss of over 1,000 lives.

Despite the intermittent threat posed by the volcano, many residents of Albay have learned to accept its occasional fury as a part of their lives. On Sunday morning, people engaged in outdoor activities along the seaside promenade in Legazpi, with Mayon Volcano hidden behind thick clouds in the distance.

Within the permanent danger zone, authorities and locals were taking precautions to safeguard farm animals by relocating cows and water buffaloes to temporary grazing areas at a safe distance. This action highlights the comprehensive approach taken to mitigate the potential economic impact of a volcanic eruption.

The Philippines faces various natural disasters, including around 20 typhoons and tropical storms annually, due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region characterized by seismic activity. In 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, situated north of Manila, resulted in one of the most significant volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, claiming hundreds of lives.

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