Lava Spews From Mount Mayon in the Philippines
Already battered by typhoons in recent months, it doesn't appear that Mother Nature is easing up on the Philippines, a destination that holds a special place for those of us who have traveled there in recent years. On our last trip, we had the opportunity to trek up an active volcano on horseback, but even the most adventurous of tourists will have to abstain from getting close to Mount Mayon, which is currently spewing lava "half a kilometer downslope," according to a report from The Philippine Star.
Located on Luzon, the largest of the Philippines' 7,000-plus islands, Mayon's seismic activity has triggered "43 volcanic quakes" in recent days, says Business Mirror online. Suffice to say, now is not optimal for visiting the area, though the holidays are a particularly popular time of year for tourists and Philippine expats to travel there.
Just days before Christmas, mass evacuations are underway for the tens of thousands of residents who live within close proximity of Mayon. Per The Philippine Star:
Phivolcs [Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology] director Renato Solidum said Mayon might soon have dangerous explosions.
Governor Salceda ordered the mandatory evacuation as early as 8 p.m. Monday for high-risk households inside the danger zones due to sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.
Here's to a positive turn of events, and hope that Mayon's activity doesn't go the way of the catastrophic Mount Pinatubo occurrences of the 1990s.
Related Stories
· Mayon evacuation underway [The Philippine Star]
· Hope You Aren't Planning A Trip To The Philippines This Month [Jaunted]
· Philippines coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Sir Mervs [alert level 3]]
0 Comments
Post a CommentReturn to » Lava Spews From Mount Mayon in the Philippines
Leave a Comment
Not yet a member? Click here to become a member.
Already a member? Log in below:
Comment with your Facebook account.