Thousands Evacuated as Mayon Volcano Threatens Philippines Villages
One of the world’s most beautiful volcanoes oozed lava last night, threatening to erupt over a tourist town in the Philippines.
Most of the 50,000 villagers living within 4-5 miles of the danger zone around Mount Mayon were evacuated earlier today. The red-hot volcano was spewing lava and ash that reached up to 100 meters high.
Renato Solidum, head ot the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said that the magma has been rising at the volcano for the past two weeks and that an explosion could be imminent. The institute has upgraded Mayon’s status to level three, meaning that it could erupt in the very near future.
Jukes Nunez, a local emergency official, said: “It’s ten days before Christmas. Most likely people will be in evacuation centres, and if Mayon’s activity won’t ease down we will not allow them to return to their homes. It’s difficult and sad, especially for children.”
Mount Mayon is considered one of the world’s most perfectly formed volcanoes because of its symmetrical cone. Most recently, Mount Mayon was active over a four-month period in 2006. At that time, 30,000 people were moved to safety zones. Mayon’s most violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200 people.
Source: Times Online UK