Mayon Volcano Erupts, Thousands on Alert as Lava Flows Down Slopes

Mayon Volcano, located in the Philippines, is currently exhibiting signs of activity as it gently spews lava down its slopes. The volcano’s heightened activity has prompted mandatory evacuations for more than 12,600 individuals residing within a 6-kilometer radius of the crater. These evacuations are an attempt to safeguard the affected farming communities, many of which are economically disadvantaged.

While the mandatory evacuations have been enforced, there are still thousands of people who have chosen to remain in the permanent danger zone below Mayon Volcano. These individuals have opted to stay due to a lack of alternative housing options and generations of living and farming in the area.

Teresito Bacolcol, the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, has cautioned that the high-risk zone may be expanded if the eruption escalates into a more dangerous phase. Currently, the volcano is experiencing an effusive eruption, characterized by the gradual flow of lava down its slopes. The alert level remains at three, but it could be raised if the eruption becomes more perilous.

Mayon Volcano, standing at an impressive height of 2,462 meters (8,077 feet), is renowned for its distinctive conical shape and is a popular tourist attraction. However, the volcano’s sporadic eruptions have disrupted the lives of local residents in the past. The last major eruption occurred in 2018, displacing tens of thousands of villagers. Historical records indicate that in 1814, Mayon’s eruption led to the burial of entire villages and claimed the lives of over 1,000 people.

Albay province, where Mayon Volcano is located, has declared a state of emergency to facilitate the efficient distribution of disaster relief funds in case of a significant eruption. Local authorities are actively engaged in protecting both human and animal lives, as they have begun relocating cows and water buffaloes from high-risk farms to safer grazing areas.

The situation at Mayon Volcano serves as a reminder of the multifaceted threats posed by natural disasters in the Philippines. The country is frequently battered by typhoons and tropical storms, with an average of 20 such events occurring annually. Furthermore, the Philippines sits within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for its seismic activity, making it susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. A notable example is the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, located north of Manila, which resulted in significant casualties and damage.