The Philippines warns of increased activity at Mayon volcano: rockfalls and earthquakes
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has issued an urgent and strong warning to both residents and tourists, urging them to exercise extreme caution and immediately evacuate the permanent danger zone surrounding Mayon Volcano, which has a radius of six kilometers. This warning comes amid increased seismic and volcanic activity, raising concerns about a possible eruption that could endanger lives and property in Albay province.
Intense volcanic activity was detected over the past 24 hours
In the technical report issued by the institute, the center's director explained that monitoring equipment recorded significant and unstable volcanic activity over the past 24 hours. Approximately 340 instances of rockfall around the crater and on the upper slopes, a strong indicator of the volcanic dome's instability. Additionally, 45 pyroclastic density currents (fast-moving streams of hot gas and rock) were recorded, along with 13 volcanic earthquakes , prompting an increased state of alert.
Mayon and the Ring of Fire: A Geographical and Geological Context
Mount Mayon, located on the island of Luzon, lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone encircling the Pacific Ocean basin characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Due to its geographical location, the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Mayon, standing at a towering 2,462 meters, is renowned globally for its perfectly conical shape, making it both a natural icon and a source of danger.
A history full of volcanic eruptions
Historically, this kind of unrest is not new to Mayon Volcano. It has erupted more than 50 times in the past 400 years, making it the most active volcano in the Philippines. Its eruptions range from mild ash emissions to violent and destructive explosions. Perhaps the most notable historical event associated with it was the 1814 eruption that completely buried the town of Cagsawa, leaving only the church tower standing as a testament to its destruction. More recently, in June 2023, the volcano erupted, prompting a large-scale evacuation of approximately 20,000 local residents to ensure their safety.
Economic and tourism impacts
Despite the serious risks, Mayon Volcano remains a popular tourist destination for climbers and nature lovers from around the world, making it a cornerstone of the local economy in Albay Province. However, increased volcanic activity poses significant challenges to the tourism and agricultural sectors, as authorities are forced to close off surrounding areas and suspend activities due to the risk of landslides or mudflows (lahars) that can occur, especially during heavy rainfall mixed with volcanic ash.
