11-6-2023 (MANILA) Thousands of residents living near Mount Mayon, a volcano in the central province of Albay, Philippines, have sought refuge in evacuation centers due to health risks associated with ash and toxic gases emitted by the rumbling crater, officials warned on Sunday.
Seismology researchers reported at least one volcanic earthquake within the past 24 hours, with red-hot rocks falling from the volcano. Over 12,800 people, primarily from farming villages near or at the foot of Mount Mayon, have been relocated to evacuation centers, according to the Philippine civil defense office.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the health risks of being in close proximity to the eruption, including inhaling sulphur dioxide gas and ash particles. He cautioned about the potential respiratory issues caused by the volcanic emissions.
Mount Mayon, situated approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Manila, is known as one of the most volatile among the country’s 24 active volcanoes. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that rocks were falling from a disintegrating lava dome being pushed out of the crater by molten material beneath the Earth’s surface. These rocks were descending on areas up to two kilometers away, and sulphur dioxide emissions had tripled on Saturday.
As a result, the alert level for the volcano was raised from two to three on Thursday, indicating increased volcanic activity. Authorities have warned of potential respiratory illnesses due to the inhalation of volcanic fumes.
President Ferdinand Marcos declared a state of calamity in Albay due to Mount Mayon’s activity and urged residents to follow the recommendations and evacuation instructions of local governments.
The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. Mount Mayon previously displaced tens of thousands of people five years ago when it emitted millions of tons of ash, rocks, and lava. The most devastating eruption in recent history occurred in 1991 when Mount Pinatubo claimed the lives of over 800 people and produced an ash cloud that spread over thousands of kilometers.
