The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has issued urgent and updated warnings regarding increased geological activity at Mayon Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippine archipelago. Authorities have reiterated their strict demands for residents and tourists to stay away from the permanent danger zone (PDZ), a six-kilometer radius around the volcano's crater, due to the unstable situation and the potential for a sudden eruption or dangerous landslides.
Intense seismic activity was detected over the past 24 hours
In the daily report, the center's director revealed that monitoring equipment recorded significant activity over the past 24 hours, with approximately 340 rockfalls around the volcanic summit. Furthermore, scientists observed 45 pyroclastic density currents —rapidly moving streams of hot gas and volcanic material—considered among the most dangerous phenomena associated with volcanoes. Additionally, 13 volcanic earthquakes , indicating magma movement within the volcano.
Mayon: The Perfect Cone and the Ring of Fire
Mount Mayon, located in Albay province in the Bicol region, rises to a height of 2,462 meters above sea level. This volcano has gained international renown for its near-perfect cone shape, making it a major destination for tourists and mountaineers from around the world. However, this natural beauty masks immense destructive power, as the Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of intense seismic and volcanic activity that encompasses more than half of the world's active volcanoes.
A history full of volcanic eruptions
Historically, Mayon Volcano is the most active in the Philippines, having erupted more than 50 times in the last 400 years. Perhaps the most tragic eruption in its recorded history was in 1814, when lava and ash completely buried the town of Cagsawa, leaving only the iconic church tower standing today as a historical landmark and tourist attraction.
In recent history, June 2023 witnessed the last major eruption of the volcano, prompting authorities to carry out large-scale evacuations of about 20,000 people from neighboring villages, fearing lava flows and toxic ash that could affect the health of residents and agricultural crops.
Economic and social impact
The unrest at Mayon volcano presents local authorities with a difficult challenge: balancing public safety with the continuation of economic activity. While a significant portion of the region's economy relies on tourism linked to the volcano, any hostile activity leads to the closure of tourist sites and disruption of agriculture, necessitating ongoing emergency plans and community awareness campaigns to manage the recurring natural disasters in this vital region.
