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Mayon Volcano - John Seach
Albay Province, Luzon, Philippines
13.257 N, 123.685 E
summit elevation 2462 m
stratovolcano
Mayon volcano is a beautifully symmetrical volcano with a steep upper slope of 35-40° and is capped by a small summit crater 200 m in diameter.
Mayon eruptions produce lava flows, pyroclastic flows and mud flows which threaten populations at the base of the volcano.
Mayon Volcano - John Seach
Mayon Volcano has had a long history of destructive eruptions. The first recorded eruption occurred in 1616, and since that time about 40 eruptions have claimed more than 1500 lives.
2009 Eruption
Three minor ash explosions occurred at the summit crater of Mayon Volcano in Philippines at 5:37 am on 15th September 2009. The eruptions lasted for 3 minutes and produced a brown ash column which rose 700 m above the summit.
28th August 2009
There has been an increase in volcanic earthquakes at Mayon volcano, Philippines. Today there were 13 volcanic earthquakes, and 68 measured between 17-23 August. On Friday, sulphur dioxide emission was 615 tons per day, compared to a baseline level of 500 tons per day. Crater glow at night can be seen with the naked eye.
9th August 2009
Ashfall was reported at Tabaco City and areas of Guinobatan town, surrounding Mayon volcano in the Philippines. Seismic activity did not indicate an eruption, and visual observations were not possible due to meteorological cloud in the area. There is a possibility that strong winds mobilised old ash deposits, or rockfalls caused the ashfall. In the past 24-hour observation period, PHIVOLCS reported 1,308 tons of sulfur dioxide emission from the volcano. Mayon remains at alert level 2, and there is a 6 km permanent exclusion zone, and 7 km extended danger zone at the southeast flank of the volcano. If the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raises the volcano alert to level 3, 13,458 families or 47,018 people from the two cities and five towns would be evacuated to safer areas. People are advised to avoid the danger zone due to risk of pyroclastic flows, explosions and lava flows. Village leaders around the volcano have been issued with mountain bikes, megaphones, whistles, pocket-sized AM/FM transistor radios , flashlights and basic life support kits, to assist any evacuation.
July 2009
There are signs of unrest at Mayon Volcano in the Philippines after an increase in summit crater glow has been observed in July. This is caused by a rise in magma levels at the volcano. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has also recorded an inflation of the volcano. Alert level one is maintained at Mayon volcano and residents and tourists are advised not to enter the 7 km radius extended danger zone.
Mayon volcano in the Philippines was raised from Alert Level 1 (low level
unrest) to Alert Level 2 (moderate unrest) on 10th July 2009. Beginning June 2009 seismic activity increased to the same level when a phreatic explosion occurred last August 2008. Ground uplift of one centimetre has been measured, and a summit glow was visible from Lignon Hill Observatory. An aerial survey on 8th July, 2009, showed a cone-shaped pile of hot, steaming old rocks at the summit. The low frequency volcanic earthquakes and ground uplift may indicate that new magma is rising towards the surface. A 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits at Mayon volcano.
2008 Eruption
On 10th August 2008, an explosion occurred at Mayon volcano in Philippines. Ash reached 9000 ft altitude and drifted ENE. During the weeks prior to the eruption, there was visible glow at the crater, and increasing seismicity.
2006 Eruption
Eruptions of Mayon volcano in August 2006 resulted in evacuation of 48,000 people, and 1266 people were killed in December 2006 when heavy rain from typhoon Durian caused landslides and floods at the base of the volcano.
1984 Eruptions
An eruption began on 10th September 1984 with lava spilling over the crater rim. Incandescent blocks rolled 600 m down the NW flank, destroying trees. On 12th September eruptions became Vulcanian in character with pyroclastic flows extending several kilometers from the summit, and ash emissions rising to a height of 15 km.
1981 Mudflows
On 30th June 1981, typhoon Daling triggered mudflows which killed 40 people, injured nine, and left seven missing.
1978 Eruption
An eruption began at Mayon volcano on 7th May 1978 and gradually increased in intensity, reaching a maximum on 22nd May. An aa lava flow emerged from a breach in the summit crater wall and extended down the SW flank directly over the 1968 flow. Activity intensified on 7th March, with ash emissions and incandescent material were ejected. 8000 people were evacuated.
1968 Eruptions
Eruptions began at Mayon volcano on 21st April 1968. By 15th May more than 100 explosions had occurred, 6 people had been killed, and roughly 100 square km had been covered by ashfall, blocky ash flows, and a lava flow. Explosions from the summit crater ejected large quantities of ash and incandescent blocks to a height of 600 m and ash plumes 10 km high. Nuees ardentes descended southwest and reached 7 km from the summit down to an elevation of 200 m. On 27th April a large explosion breached the southwest crater rim and was followed by a viscous aa lava flow which began moving slowly down the southwest flank.
1897 Eruption
A severe eruption began at Mayon volcano on 23rd June 1897. Lava flowed down the side of the volcano for seven miles towards the east. Volcanic ash fell on the surrounding country for 100 miles to the east and 75 miles to the west. The eruption finished on 30th June 1897 and killed 350-400 people.
Mayon Volcano Eruptions
2009, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1993, 1984, 1978, 1968, 1947, 1943, 1941, 1939, 1938, 1928, 1900, 1897, 1896, 1895, 1893, 1891-92, 1890, 1888, 1886-87, 1885, 1881-82, 1876, 1873, 1872, 1871-72, 1868, 1863?, 1862, 1861, 1860, 1859, 1858, 1857, 1855, 1853, 1851, 1846, 1845, 1839, 1834-35, 1827-28, 1814, 1811?, 1800, 1766, 1616.