Lava spewing from the Philippines’ most active volcano has flowed nearly two miles from the crater in a spectacular but potentially deadly eruption.
Mount Mayon has sent lava more than 600 metres into the air and massive plumes of ash and smoke nearly 5km above the crater, forcing thousands of locals and tourists to flee to safety.
The volcano gushed out lava and molten rock again on Wednesday, its violent explosion at the tail-end of a week of ominous rumbling.
Mount Mayon (pictured) has sent lava up to 2,000ft high and its ash plumes stretched up to nearly 5km above the crater, forcing thousands of locals and tourists to flee to safety
The volcano gushed out lava and molten rock again on Wednesday, its violent explosion at the tail-end of a week of ominous rumbling
Over 61,000 people have been forced to evacuate from nearby villages as thick smoke descends from the mountain.
Spectacular time-lapse footage shows the gradual eruption of the picturesque mountain from small puffs of smoke to spewing out thick molten lava.
Awestruck tourists and local photographers took the opportunity to capture the rare moment of eruption.
‘Mayon Volcano is certainly beautiful and captivating but behind that scene that Mount is deadly and dangerous!’ said local Marinel Lozano.
Over 61,000 people have been forced to evacuate from nearby villages as thick smoke descends from the mountain
Awestruck tourists and local photographers took the opportunity to capture the rare moment of eruption
Mount Mayon volcano exploded again in the 4th time with volcanic ashfall and lava flow
Volcanologists on Monday warned of a hazardous eruption within days and a no-go zone was extended from six kilometres of the crater to nine kilometres, forcing local officials to order further evacuations as ash rained down on communities.
At the shelters, people sleep on the floor and each shares a single toilet with 49 other people, the Philippine Red Cross said.
‘Their numbers ballooned after the danger zone was expanded,’ Rose Rivero, Red Cross administrator for the region, told AFP.
Mostly farmers and their families, the evacuees are surviving on food handouts from the government and charities, with the Red Cross pitching in with drinking water, counselling, and hygiene items, she added.
‘If we go back to its (Mayon’s) history of eruption, it would take three to four months before we could send them back to their homes,’ Rivero said.
Mostly farmers and their families, the evacuees are surviving on food handouts from the government and charities, with the Red Cross pitching in with drinking water, counselling, and hygiene items
Spectacular time-lapse footage shows the gradual eruption of the picturesque mountain from small puffs of smoke to spewing out thick molten lava
Awestruck tourists and local photographers took the opportunity to capture the rare moment of eruption
The state volcanologist office said there was little chance of that happening soon.
It reported five episodes of ‘intense but sporadic lava fountaining from the summit crater’ overnight Tuesday, along with ash plumes five kilometres high.
Lava and incandescent rocks also rolled down the volcano’s flanks, it said in a Wednesday bulletin.
Authorities have closed airports in the region, while periodic ash showers have made driving on some roads nearly impossible. Local governments have advised residents to wear facial masks and goggles.
Authorities have closed airports in the region, while periodic ash showers have made driving on some roads nearly impossible. Local governments have advised residents to wear facial masks and goggles.