The Philippines raises the alert level for Mayon volcano to level 3: imminent eruption risk
Philippine authorities announced today that they have raised the alert level for Mount Mayon, located in Albay province in the central Philippines, to level three on a five-point scale. This decisive action follows the detection of increased seismic and volcanic activity, indicating the potential for a "hazardous eruption" within the next few days or weeks, prompting authorities to mobilize to ensure the safety of residents.
Details of the warning and volcanic activity
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) explained that raising the alert level indicates active magmatic disturbances pushing magma toward the volcano's crater, resulting in the formation of a glowing lava dome at the summit. Monitoring equipment has recorded hundreds of rockfalls caused by the lava dome breaking apart, indicating significant geological instability in the volcano's structure.
As a result of these developments, authorities urged residents living within the “permanent danger zone” extending six kilometers around the volcano to evacuate immediately and move away from the area, in anticipation of the risks of rapid lava flows, rockfalls, and landslides that may result from the escalating volcanic activity, in addition to warning pilots against flying near the summit of the volcano.
Geological significance and historical context
Mount Mayon is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and the world. Its near-perfect cone shape makes it a major tourist destination, but it also has a long history of devastating eruptions. The Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of intense seismic and volcanic activity, making the country constantly vulnerable to natural disasters.
Historically, Mount Mayon has experienced dozens of eruptions over the centuries. Perhaps the most notable in recent memory was the 2018 eruption, which forced tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes and blanketed vast areas in volcanic ash. The most devastating eruption in the volcano's history occurred in 1814, burying the entire town of Kagsawa under lava and ash, leaving behind the ruins of Kagsawa Church, which still stand as a testament to nature's power.
Potential effects and safety measures
The risks posed by the eruption of Mount Mayon extend beyond direct volcanic flows to include emissions of sulfur dioxide and ash, which could affect the respiratory health of residents in surrounding areas, as well as impact crops and water sources. Philippine disaster management agencies are currently preparing evacuation centers and securing food and medical supplies in anticipation of any escalation in volcanic activity that might necessitate large-scale evacuations beyond the current scope.
