update Mayon eruption
Lava flows 8 kms down, dec 15, 2009
Philippine government and Philvolcs are thinking of raising the alert level from 3 to 4.
A major eruption might take place in the coming days or weeks. Many people have been evacuated and a NO-TOLERANCE rule has been implemented to avoid un-necessary victims. Check HERE for the latest news.
Ultimatum
At least 32,000 people have been evacuated so far. Two lava domes have formed at the crater of the Mayon Volcano, raising concerns among government volcanologists over the possible extensive damage should these collapse and a major eruption occur. More than 300 light earthquakes have been registred in the last few days and tons of ashes and gasses came out of the crater.
Read also Mayon big bang feared.
Mayon Volcano is a very active volcano. It has erupted 50 times in the past 400 years. The last eruption was October 1, 2006.
from Wikipedia:
On October 13, 2008 it was included in New 7 Wonders of Nature Top 10 list.
The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814. Lava flowed but not as much compared to the 1766 eruption. Instead, the volcano was belching dark ash and eventually bombarding the town with tephra that buried the town of Cagsawa—only the bell tower of the town’s church remained above the new surface. Trees were burned; rivers were certainly damaged. Proximate areas were also devastated by the eruption with ash accumulating to 9 m (30 ft) in depth. 2,200 Albay locals perished in what is considered to be the most lethal eruption in Mayon’s history.
The picture below is my own when I visited the ruins.
Filipino time:
