Mayon Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines located in Legaspi, Albay south of Luzon, and a tourist magnet due to its 'perfect cone' feature on sober times, is expected to erupt in the coming weeks as magma movement continues to manifest through quakes, rockfall, landslide, and volcanic flow. Advisories for tourists had been sent out by their respective embassies Wednesday, September 17, to re-plan their activities in getting a good view of the activity after smoke was seen emitting from the dome.
According to the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs), volcanic eruption is imminent in the coming weeks even though a typhoon battered the area, along with other places in the country yesterday, September 19 and tempered its volcanic activities. As of yesterday, Friday, seismic networks registered 22 volcanic quakes and 70 rockfalls. This is less than Thursday's 142 quakes and 251 rockfall.
An article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Philvocs spokesperson Eduardo Laguerta who said, "In the history of Mayon, once the lava dome has been noted at the surface, (the volcano) will erupt."
Tourists were told to watch the volcano through the Lignon Hill, Cagsawa Ruins Park, Daraga Church, Legaspi City Boulevard, Taysan Hills and Quintuinan Hills.
It is ironic that as the volcanic eruption is detrimental to the safety of the residents spurring them to leave the place, tourists are coming in at the same time to get a nice view of the Mayon Volcano spewing lava. Mayon Volcano eruption boosts tourism in the region. In another Inquirer report, it said "the number of tourists arriving Legaspi grew from 200 to 2,000 a day when the Mayon started oozing lava that glowed at night on December 14, 2009. By the end of December, tourist arrivals in the city hit 75,000 surpassing the whole year tourism figure of 2008."
Alert Level 3, which means 'hazardous eruption', was raised Monday, September 15. This level commands mandatory evacuation of residents living around the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone and the seven-kilometer Extended Danger Zone. Around 7,000 families or close to 30,000 people had been evacuated. School houses served as evacuation center as more tents are being installed.
