After a quiet couple of years, Mayon volcano in the Philippines has been showing signs of increased activity in recent weeks, with heightened seismicity, inflation, and an intensified glow from the crater. Today a phreatic explosion took place and ash was erupted 200 metres (650 feet) above the crater. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is keeping Mayon under close observation: it is one of the archipelago’s more active volcanoes. A major eruption is not imminent, according to Phivolcs, but steam and ash explosions may occur over the coming days.

Mayon, a 2463-metre stratovolcano, is famous for the near-perfect symmetry of its cone, as well as its ability to unleash destructive eruptions, with hazards including pyroclastic flows, lahars and heavy ashfall. Particularly violent eruptions causing many deaths occurred in 1814 and 1897; more recently an eruption in September 1984 caused no fatalities after warnings from Philvolcs brought about the evacuation of more than 70,000 people from at-risk areas near the volcano.

News
Mayon spews ash after two-year silence - ABS-CBN News Online, 10 August 2008
Mayon spews ash; Phivolcs reminds residents of danger zone - GMANews.TV, 10 August 2008
Mayon volcano under tight watch after mild explosion - Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 August 2008

Information
Global Volcanism Program: Mayon - summary information for Mayon (0703-03=)
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology - Phivolcs homepage

Above: Mayon volcano, Philippines: a wonder to wonder at.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines has been urging local supporters to nominate Mayon volcano as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World (she must be referring to the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’), according to a report in the Philippines Inquirer today. Mayon, famed for the perfection of its conical shape and its very high level of activity, is situated in Bicol region in the province of Albay, an area which the Philippine Government is keen to develop for tourism. A local Wonder of the World, even a potentially rather dangerous one, could draw in the crowds.

The market in Wonders of all kinds has been cornered by New7Wonders.com. You can participate in the scrupulously fair and thoroughly representative voting procedure via their web site, once you’ve registered. As of 6 May 2008, 10:00 GMT, the top-ranking volcano on the list of nominees is Fuji, at no. 6. Kilimanjaro is at 45, but otherwise there’s a distinct lack of volcanoes. Volcanophiles who do not consider the entire exercise spurious and futile should probably get busy with their nominations and votes.

Image: copyright Tom Tam, reuse with credit permitted by copyright holder.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) increased the alert level at Kanlaon, the most active volcano of the central Philippines, on 10 February 2008 following a swarm of low-frequency tremors over the preceding 24 hours. On 19 February Phivolcs confirmed that volcanic quakes and emissions of steam and gas were continuing, and that the raised alert level would stay in place. No evacuation plans are in hand, but an exclusion zone around the area of highest danger is in place.

Kanlaon, also known as Canlaon, is situated on the island of Negros. Recent eruptive activity has consisted of phreatic explosions producing short-range ashfall.

Information
Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program - summary information for Kanlaon (0702-02=)
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) - Philippine government volcanological authority main site, when it’s working

News
Phivolcs monitors abnormality of Kanlaon volcano - Sun.Star Dumaguete, 19 February 2008
Volcan : Canlaon, Philippines, 2435 m - Activolcans, 18 February 2008