Thousands flee as Mayon spews lava



MANILA: -- The majestic Mayon, the Philippines' most active volcano near Legazpi City, Albay, spewed huge lava fragments rolling down its slopes in an ongoing gentle eruption that has prompted authorities to evacuate thousands of villagers, including farm animals and pets, Manila Bulletin reported.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Alert Level 3 in Mayon – the third highest alert in a five-step scale – as it warned of a possible “hazardous eruption” within weeks. Phivolcs science research specialist Eric Arconado said the last time the alert status was raised to level 3 was in December 14, 2009.

Increased restiveness was recorded overnight, including 270 incidents of lava fragments and super-hot boulders rolling down from Mayon’s crater – nearly four times the number recorded the previous day. Some reached the upper portion of the Bonga gully on the volcano’s southeastern side, indicating that the lava dome has breached that side of the crater. The number of low-frequency volcanic earthquakes also increased.

Molten lava has accumulated at the top of the 2,460-meter (8,070-foot) volcano’s crater, creating a glow in the night sky that sparked both awe and fear among spectators.

The provincial disaster operations center reported Wednesday that nearly 24,000 people from villages within an 8-kilometer (5-mile) radius from the crater had been evacuated.

Soldiers went from house to house asking residents to evacuate making sure no one is left behind. Mostly women, children and the elderly carrying bags of clothes were hauled out of farming villages near Mayon volcano’s slopes on board army trucks and minibuses.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/thousands-flee-mayon-spews-lava/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-18

Its just a matter of time , before we get hit with the real deal,

5 miles???

When Mt. St. Helens blew in Washington State, USA in 1980 it destroyed an area of 230 square miles. (600 sq kms.) There was an inch (2.5 cm) of ash on ranch land, 300 miles ( 482 kms) away. (The ash was very good for the soil but made a mess on buildings, equipment, etc.)

LINK

PICTURES

The volcanos erupting...and typhoons blowing thru...are a way of life in the PI...many die each year...sad...