Mayon Volcano Forces Thousands to Evacuate- Authorities in the Philippines have evacuated nearly 3,000 people after Mayon Volcano, the country’s most active volcano, showed renewed signs of activity in Albay province. The alert level was raised to Level 3 on Tuesday after experts observed lava accumulating at the summit, swelling of the volcanic dome, rockfalls, and pyroclastic flows—fast-moving avalanches of superheated gas, ash, and rock fragments. Level 3 indicates a moderate eruption, while Level 5, the highest alert, signals a full-scale explosive eruption with widespread ashfall.
“This is already an eruption, a quiet one, with lava slowly building at the peak,” said Teresito Bacolcol, the Philippines’ chief volcanologist. He emphasized that while the volcano is active, it is too early to determine whether it could escalate into a violent eruption, as other critical signs—such as an increase in volcanic earthquakes or high sulfur dioxide emissions—have not yet been detected.
The evacuation focused on a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) permanent danger zone around the crater, where more than 2,800 villagers from 729 households were relocated to safety. An additional 600 residents outside the danger zone chose to evacuate voluntarily to government-run emergency shelters. Troops, police, and disaster-mitigation teams assisted in moving residents away from the risk area. Authorities have long prohibited settlement within this zone, but thousands continue to live there due to farming, quarrying, and tourism businesses, highlighting the challenge of enforcing safety measures in areas where livelihoods depend on proximity to the volcano.
Mayon Volcano is renowned not only for its activity but also for its nearly perfect conical shape, making it one of the Philippines’ top tourist attractions. Standing 2,462 meters (8,007 feet) tall, it has erupted 54 times since records began in 1616, making it the most frequently active volcano in the country. Its eruptions have ranged from small lava flows to deadly pyroclastic events that have caused significant loss of life.
One of the most devastating eruptions occurred in 1814, when Mayon unleashed a massive eruption that buried the town of Cagsawa under volcanic mud and ash. Around 1,200 people perished, many of whom had sought refuge in a baroque Franciscan church. Today, the Cagsawa Church belfry, partially buried and still standing, serves as a haunting symbol of Mayon’s destructive potential. Over the centuries, repeated eruptions have shaped local culture, traditions, and disaster preparedness practices, yet many communities continue to inhabit the surrounding slopes due to fertile soil and economic necessity.
The recent evacuations reflect a broader vulnerability faced by Filipinos living near natural hazards. The Philippines sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an area prone to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. In addition, the archipelago is hit by roughly 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making disaster preparedness a constant concern for local authorities and residents alike. Living near Mayon or other high-risk zones often becomes a trade-off between safety and livelihood, a dilemma shared by many impoverished communities across the country.
As of now, volcanologists continue to monitor Mayon closely, using a combination of satellite imagery, gas measurements, and seismic activity tracking to detect any signs of escalation. Authorities have urged residents to respect evacuation orders and remain away from the danger zone until the volcano stabilizes. While the current eruption is relatively quiet, history has shown that Mayon’s beauty can quickly turn deadly, and precautionary measures remain critical.
Mayon Volcano stands as both a natural wonder and a persistent threat, a reminder of the delicate balance between human habitation and the forces of nature in one of the world’s most geologically active regions.
