Mayon Volcano generates more earthquakes, rockfalls

MANILA, Philippines - Mayon Volcano's seismic network recorded 45 volcanic earthquakes and 270 rock fall events in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday.

In its bulletin issued at 8 a.m., Phivolcs said the iconic volcano is still exhibiting relatively high unrest due to the movement of potentially eruptible magma. Crater glow was again visible last night.

Rolling incandescent rockfall within the uppermost reaches of the Bonga Gully last night indicates that the summit lava dome is breaching the crater in its southeastern side.

On Monday night, Phivolcs placed Mayon Volcano on alert level 3, which means that magma is at the crater and that hazardous eruption is possible within weeks.

"It's already erupting, but not explosive," said Renato Solidum, Phivolcs executive director. "Currently, the activity is just lava coming down. If there is an explosion, all sides of the volcano are threatened."

Volcanologist Ed Laguerta said he saw huge glowing lava fragments and super-hot boulders rolling down from Mayon's crater late Monday, when thick clouds parted and revealed the volcano's summit. He said the fragments could be seen from as far as 12 kilometers away.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda ordered the evacuation of up to 12,000 residents within an 8-kilometer radius of the volcano's crater. Villagers within six kilometers of the volcano, which the government has declared a permanent no-go danger zone, face mandatory evacuation.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on Tuesday evening that 51,625 people in 65 villages have been affected. 

Mount Mayon, a popular tourist site known for its near-perfect cone, is considered as the most active volcano in the Philippines.

The volcano has erupted 50 times in the last 500 years, sometimes violently, endangering thousands of poor villagers who insist on living or farming in the government-declared permanent danger zone.

Villagers living near the volcano have erected huge white crosses at the entrance of their neighborhoods, hoping they will protect them from harm.

On May 7, 2013, the volcano suddenly spewed ash, killing five climbers, including three Germans, who had ventured near the summit despite warnings of possible danger. - Louis Bacani with Teresa Cerojano, AP