The 8,077 foot-tall volcano , the most active one in the Philippines, erupted twice over the weekend – with volcanic activity at Mt Mayon continuing this week as a number of tremors have been felt on the island of Luzon.
And last night a stunning light show was emitted from the Mayon crater, spewing out lava which has poured more than four miles from the crater.
More than 34,000 locals have been forced to flee the area as the eruption continues and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) strongly advised the public to desist from entering the danger zones around the slopes.
Albay resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta confirmed that a lava flow was already creeping downslope from Mayon volcano’s crater with its direction following the existing volcanic gullies at the south western direction.
Mayon volcano eruption update: Will the Philippines volcano erupt?
Where are the Mount Mayon volcano danger zones
Phivolcs set up a 6km Permanent Danger Zine (PDZ) and the 7km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southern flanks due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.
Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden stream flows along channels draining the edifice was also advised.
Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, Phivolcs said.
Based on the seasonal wind pattern, ash fall events may most likely occur on the southwest side of the volcano.
Which villages have been affected?
The Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that some 2,785 families or 10,966 persons have evacuated from the danger zones particularly in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Malilipot and Ligao.
In Camalig, some 1,008 families or 4,158 persons were evacuated from barangays Anoling, Salugan, Quirangay, Tumpa, Sua and upper Cabangan to Camalig National Central School, Cabangan Elementary School, and Anoling Elementary School.
In Guinobatan, the affected 774 families or 2,655 individuals from barangays Maninila, Tandarora, Mabalod, Sitio Basiao and Sitio Hacienda were staying in the elementary school of Guinobatan East and Binogsacan and Muladbucad multi-purpose center.
Some 634 families or 2, 482 individuals from barangays Canaway, Calbayog and San Roque in Malilipot and Baligang in Ligao were likewise moved to safer areas.
The Philippines is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” of islands that were formed by volcanic activity, and is perennially under threat from 22 active volcanoes.
The most powerful explosion in recent years was the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, which killed more than 800 people.
David Rothery, a geosciences professor at The Open University said it was highly unlikely Mayon would have a similar eruption, adding: “It erupts quite often, and volcanoes that erupt frequently tend to have smaller eruptions than those that erupt less frequently.”