Philippines raises volcano alert, orders evacuation
Posted by JAC on 12/14/2009, 2:58 pm



MANILA, Dec 14 - The Philippines ordered the evacuation today of thousands of people living near the most active volcano in the country, warning of a possible eruption within a week.

Mayon volcano, known for its near-perfect cone shape in the central Philippines, has been spewing lava and ashes that reached a height of about 100 metres today, chief vulcanologist Renato Solidum said.

"The volcano is showing increased activity and we deem it necessary to raise the alert," Solidum told Reuters, saying "incandescent material" had been rapidly moving up to the crater and streaking down Mayon's southeastern slope.

Joey Salceda, governor of the coconut-growing Albay province where Mayon is located, said he had ordered the evacuation of about 20,000-30,000 people living within the 6-8 km danger zone around the volcano.

"We'll start evacuating the people to safer areas tomorrow (Tuesday)," Salceda told reporters, requesting assistance from soldiers and police to move people from no-go zones to temporary shelter areas.

The Philippines lies on the "Ring of Fire", a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.

Mayon is the most active of 22 volcanoes in the country, having erupted more than 50 times in the last four centuries. The most destructive eruption came in February 1841 when lava flows buried a town and killed 1,200 people.

The last time Mayon erupted was in 2006. - Reuters




UPDATE 12:40PM 12/14/2009: Just to update the Mayon news from earlier today, PHIVOLC is reporting that lava has been spotting flowing from the main crater on Mayon. Sounds like the eruption we've been waiting for is beginning. Here is some TV footage of the glowing dome and new lava flow (youtube link) as well (hat tip to Boris Behncke).

Mayon continues to belch ash, leading PHIVOLC to continue to have concern for a larger eruption of the Philippine volcano. The activity has increased to the point where 20,000-30,000 of villagers were ordered to evacuate on Monday. Mayon experienced at least 4 explosions that sent ash and incandescent material to the northwest and over the last 24 hours, the volcano has emitted 535 tonnes of SO2. This comes with increased seismicity and 5 mm / 1 inch of inflation (although in what period this inflation has occurred is unclear) as well. The 7-km exclusion zone remains in effect with Mayon on Yellow status.


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/14/09/lava-flows-mayon-volcano


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqTF1_6Rmg



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Philippines raises volcano alert, orders evacuation - JAC, 12/14/2009, 2:58 pm
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