Mount Mayon update: Why the eruption in the Philippines could be especially dangerous

The volcano in the Philippines began erupting by spewing ash, rocks and mud earlier this month. On Tuesday, there were five episodes of intense sporadic lava fountaining from the summit crater over a 19-hour period. 

The Philippe Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alert level to four out of five possible levels, which means a hazardous eruption is imminent. 

The most active volcano in the Philippines is known for its perfect cone shape and its steep upper slopes make it a popular climbing spot.

The volcano’s picturesque symmetry make it something of a tourist attraction. However it is this shape that makes the volcano especially dangerous.

The shape of the volcano shows how frequent the volcano erupts. Since records began Mayon has erupted about 58 times, and four of these eruptions have happened in the last decade, according to the Smithsonian. 

The last explosive eruption of Mayon volcano was in 2011 when ash was sent six miles above the crater. In 1814, columns of ash rose miles above the volcano and devastated nearby towns and killed 1,200 people. 

When Mayon has previously erupted, it sprayed out lava which collects at the rim and builds up over time and causes the steep slopes of the volcano.

A pyroclastic flow is an explosive blast that sends ash, lava and volcanic gas raining down the sides of the volcano.

If Mayon continues to erupt, the biggest danger is an explosive blast which might produce a column of volcanic ash miles high.

If this column then collapses it can send pyroclastic flows down the volcano’s flanks which are dangerous for any residents living around the volcano.

The Smithsonian has reported that volcanic rumblings have produced volcanic ash and when it mixes with strong rain this debris turns into a slurry which can travel rapidly down the volcano’s slopes.

Mayon’s steep slopes make it susceptible to these mudflows, however it remains to be seen how deadly or dangerous the next explosion will be, if a hazardous eruption of Mayon volcano eventually does happens. 

Lava fountains 500-600 metres (1,640-1,970 feet) high lasted between seven minutes and more than an hour and generated ash plumes 3-5 km (2-3 miles) above the crater over xxx , Phivolcs said.

Schools were shut in 17 cities and municipalities in Albay and nearby Camarines Sur province, which was also affected by ashfall. Some 56 flights were cancelled because of Mayon, the Philippines’ most active and most picturesque volcano.