3,000 people evacuated in the Philippines due to Mayon volcano
Philippine authorities today began a large-scale evacuation of approximately 3,000 villagers in Albay province in response to escalating volcanic activity at Mount Mayon, one of the most active and beautiful volcanoes in the Philippine archipelago. This swift action was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents living in areas surrounding the volcanic crater.
Raising the level of warning and potential risks
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level for Mayon Volcano to Level 3 on a scale of 5. This level indicates ongoing magmatic disturbances, meaning a major eruption is highly likely and could occur within weeks or even days. Scientists have observed frequent rockfalls and fast-moving pyroclastic flows, composed of hot gases, ash, and volcanic rock, cascading from the volcano's summit.
Mayon Volcano: The deadly beauty of the Ring of Fire
Mayon Volcano, located in Albay Province in the Bicol Region, is world-renowned for its near-perfect cone shape, making it a major tourist destination. However, this beauty masks a long history of violent eruptions. The Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of intense seismic and volcanic activity, and the archipelago is home to more than 20 active volcanoes, with Mayon being the most volatile.
Historical context and safety measures
Historically, Mount Mayon has experienced dozens of eruptions over the centuries. The most tragic eruption remains that of 1814, when the volcano buried the town of Kagsawa under lava and ash, leaving thousands dead. The bell tower of the old church still stands above the ground as a testament to that disaster. In 2018, another eruption displaced tens of thousands of residents.
Philippine authorities have established a permanent “Permanent Danger Zone” (PDZ) with a 6-kilometer radius around the volcano, prohibiting housing and farming. However, some impoverished residents often return to the area to cultivate the fertile volcanic soil. The current evacuations underscore the Philippine government’s commitment to a “zero human casualties” policy, with residents being relocated to temporary shelters and provided with basic necessities until the geological situation stabilizes.
Expected effects
In addition to the direct threat to life, volcanic activity disrupts economic life in the region, particularly in the agriculture and tourism sectors. Volcanic ash could also lead to the closure of nearby airports and affect air traffic, necessitating close coordination between local and national disaster management agencies to ensure everyone's safety.
