MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Over the weekend, the Mayon volcano experienced a significant event, prompting the evacuation of more than 300 families. This compelled action was due to substantial ash emissions caused by the sudden collapse of lava deposits on the volcano's southwestern slope. Teresito Bacolcol, the director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, confirmed that while no explosive eruption took place, the pyroclastic flow—which consists of a mix of hot rocks, ash, and gas—cascaded down the slopes before nightfall on Saturday.
The eruption released massive clouds of ash that affected 87 villages across three towns, surprising many residents and causing reduced visibility that impeded motorists’ travel. Mayor Caloy Baldo of Camalig, a town located near the foothills of Mayon, noted that the ashfall was so thick it resulted in zero visibility on national roads. He stated, "Some villagers panicked, but we advised them to calm down," addressing the immediate concerns of the local population.
Damage from the ashfall was not limited to infrastructure; it extended to the local agriculture sector as well. Vegetable farms in the vicinity were adversely affected, and livestock losses included the death of four water buffaloes and a cow in Camalig. Mayor Baldo reported that cleanup efforts were underway in his town, which has a population of approximately 8,000 people in Albay province.
Despite the recent upheaval, Bacolcol described the situation around Mayon as calm once more. However, he cautioned that the potential for danger remains. At 2,462 meters (8,077 feet), Mayon volcano is renowned for its near-perfect cone shape and is one of the Philippines' main tourist attractions. Nevertheless, it is also recognized as the most active among the country's 24 volcanoes.
Authorities raised the alert level around Mayon to level 3 in January, following a series of mild eruptions characterized by intermittent rockfalls — some sizable enough to compare to the dimensions of vehicles — and perilous pyroclastic flows. The highest alert level, Alert 5, signifies that an explosive eruption is taking place, which poses a severe threat to life through volcanic lava, pyroclastic flows, and extensive ashfall.
