Volcano lava flow reaches nearly 3km from crater
LEGAZPI: Lava fountaining regularly from the Philippines’ most active volcano has flowed up to three kilometres from the crater in a dazzling but increasingly dangerous eruption.
Mount Mayon has spewed lava up to 600 metres high at times on Tuesday and early yesterday and its ash plumes stretched up to five kilometres above the crater. Lava flows in two gullies had advanced down the volcano’s slopes more than a kilometre and pyroclastic flows — superheated gas and volcanic debris — had reached five kilometers from the crater in one area, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said yesterday morning.
An explosion from the crater at nightfall on Tuesday was capped by one of the most massive lava displays since Mayon started erupting more than a week ago. Authorities on Monday expanded the no-go zone to eight kilometers from the crater and have warned a violent eruption may occur in hours or days, characterised by more rumblings and pyroclastic flows that will vaporise everything in their path.
At least 56,217 people were taking shelter in 46 evacuation camps on Tuesday and army troops and police were helping others leave the danger zone.
Authorities, however, struggled to prevent villagers from sneaking back to check on their homes and farms and to watch a popular cockfight in Albay’s Santo Domingo town despite the risks and police patrols and checkpoints.
In a sign of desperation, Cedric Daep, a provincial disaster response official, told a news conference that he has recommended electricity and water supplies be cut within the no-go zones to discourage residents from returning.
Volcanic ash has darkened the skies over nearby villages in coconut-growing Albay province, where Mayon lies.
Mayon has long been popular with tourists but has erupted about 50 times in the last 500 years, sometimes violently.