Mayon (Central Bicolano: Bulkan Mayon, Filipino: Bulkang Mayon, Spanish: Monte

Mayón), also known as Mayon Volcano or Mount Mayon, is

an activestratovolcano in the province of Albay in Bicol Region, on the large island
of Luzon in the Philippines. Renowned as the "perfect cone" because of
its symmetricconical shape, the volcano with its surrounding landscape was declared
a national park on July 20, 1938, the first in the nation. It was reclassified a Natural
Park and renamed as the Mayon Volcano Natural Park in 2000.
[4]
Local folklore refers to the volcano being named after the legendary princess-
heroine Daragang Magayon (English: Beautiful Lady). Numerous festivals and rituals
are associated with the volcano and its landscape. [5] The volcano is the centerpiece
of the Albay Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO in 2016.[6]
Mayon is the main landmark and highest point of the province of Albay and the
whole Bicol Region in the Philippines, rising 2,462 metres (8,077 ft) from the shores
of the Albay Gulf about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away.[7][8] The volcano is
geographically shared by the eight cities and municipalities of Legazpi
City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Tabaco City, Malilipot and Santo
Domingo (clockwise from Legazpi), which divide the cone like slices of a pie when
viewing a map of their political boundaries.

Geomorphology
Mayon is a classic stratovolcano with a small central summit crater. The cone is
considered the world's most perfectly formed volcano for its symmetry, [8] which was
formed through layers of lava flows and pyroclastic surges from past eruptions
and erosion. The upper slopes of the basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano are steep,
averaging 35–40 degrees.[citation needed]
Like other volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean, Mayon is a part of the Pacific Ring of
Fire. It is on the southeast side of Luzon, close to the Philippine Trench, which is
the convergent boundary where the Philippine Sea Plate sinks beneath (is
subducted beneath) the Philippine Mobile Belt. When an oceanic plate subducts, it
releases water into the overlying mantle. The water lowers the melting point of the
mantle and triggers melting that generates magma. The magma rises and erupts at
the surface at a volcano like Mayon.[citation needed]
Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, erupting over 47 times in the
past 500 years.[9] The first eruption for which an extended account exists was the six-
day event of July 20, 1766.[10][11]
1814 eruption[edit]

An old photograph of the Cagsawa ruins with the façade still standing. The church
was largely destroyed during the 1814 eruption of Mayon. Only the bell tower exists
today.
The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814 (VEI=4).
[11]
Lava flowed but less than the 1766 eruption. The volcano belched dark ash and
eventually bombarded the town of Cagsawa with tephra that buried it. Trees burned,
and rivers were certainly damaged. Proximate areas were also devastated by the
eruption, with ash accumulating to 9 m (30 ft) in depth. In Cagsawa, 1,200 locals
perished in what is considered to be the most lethal eruption in Mayon's history
according to PHIVOLCS. The eruption is believed to have contributed to the
accumulation of atmospheric ash together with the catastrophic 1815 eruption of
other volcanoes like Indonesia's Mount Tambora, leading to the Year Without a
Summer in 1816.[citation needed]
1881–1882 eruption[edit]
From July 6, 1881, until approximately August 1882, [11] Mayon underwent a strong
(VEI=3) eruption. Samuel Kneeland, a naturalist, professor and geologist, personally
observed the volcanic activity on Christmas Day, 1881, about five months after the
start of the activity:
At the date of my visit, the volcano had poured out, for five months continuously, a
stream of lava on the Legaspi side from the very summit. The viscid mass bubbled
quietly but grandly, and overran the border of the crater, descending several hundred
feet in a glowing wave, like red-hot iron. Gradually, fading as the upper surface
cooled, it changed to a thousand sparkling rills among the crevices, and, as it passed
beyond the line of complete vision behind the woods near the base, the fires twinkled
like stars, or the scintillions of a dying conflagration. More than half of the mountain
height was thus illuminated.[12]
1897 eruption[edit]

Mount Mayon in eruption on July 21, 1897

Mayon's longest uninterrupted eruption occurred on June 23, 1897 (VEI=4), which
rained fire for seven days. Lava once again flowed down to civilization. Eleven
kilometers (7 miles) eastward, the village of Bacacay was buried 15 m (49 ft)
beneath the lava. In Sto.Domingo 100 people were killed by steam and falling debris
or hot rocks. Other villages like San Roque, Sta. Misericordia and Santo Niño
became deathtraps. Ash was carried in black clouds as far as 160 kilometres (99 mi)
from the catastrophic event, which killed more than 400 people. [8]
The eruption on September 23, 1984
1984 and 1993 eruptions[edit]
No casualties were recorded from the 1984 eruption after more than 73,000 people
were evacuated from the danger zones as recommended by PHIVOLCS scientists.
[13]
But in 1993, pyroclastic flows killed 75 people, mainly farmers, during the
eruption.[14]
1999 eruption[edit]
At June 22, 1999 Mayon emitted an ash column that rose 7–10 km above the vent.
The emission was recorded by the seismic network of the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology as an explosion that lasted for 10 minutes. No volcanic
earthquakes nor other visible signs of abnormal activity were observed before the
explosion.[citation needed]
2006 eruptions[edit]

Mayon in satellite image

Mayon's 48th modern-era eruption was on July 13, 2006, followed by quiet effusion
of lava that started on July 14, 2006.[11][15] Nearly 40,000 people were evacuated from
the 8-kilometre (5.0 mi) danger zone on the southeast flank of the volcano. [citation needed]
After an ash explosion of September 1, 2006, a general decline in the overall activity
of Mayon was established. The decrease in key parameters such as
seismicity, sulfur dioxide emission rates and ground inflation all indicated a waning
condition. The slowdown in the eruptive activity was also evident from the decrease
in intensity of crater glow and the diminishing volume of lava extruded from the
summit. PHILVOLCS Alert Level 4 was lowered to Level 3 on September 11, 2006; to
Level 2 on October 3, 2006; and to Level 1 on October 25, 2006. [16]
2008 eruption[edit]
On August 10, 2008, a small summit explosion ejected ash 200 metres (660 ft)
above the summit, which drifted east-northeast. In the weeks prior to the eruption,
[11]
a visible glow increased within the crater and increased seismicity. [17]
2009–2010 eruption[edit]
On July 10, 2009, PHIVOLCS raised the status from Alert Level 1 (low level unrest)
to Alert Level 2 (moderate unrest) because the number of recorded low frequency
volcanic earthquakes rose to the same level as those prior to the 2008 phreatic
explosion.[18][19]
At 5:32 a.m. on October 28, 2009, a minor ash explosion lasting for about one
minute occurred in the summit crater. A brown ash column rose about 600 metres
(2,000 ft) above the crater and drifted northeast. In the prior 24 hours, 13 volcanic
earthquakes were recorded. Steam emission was at moderate level, creeping
downslope toward the southwest. PHIVOLCS maintained the Alert Status at Level 2,
but later warned that with the approach of tropical cyclone international codename
Mirinae, the danger of lahars and possible crater wall collapse would greatly
increase and all specified precautions should be taken. [20]
At 1:58 am on November 11, 2009, a minor ash explosion occurred at the summit
crater lasting for about three minutes. This was recorded by the seismic network as
an explosion-type earthquake with rumbling sounds. Incandescent rock fragments at
the upper slope were observed in nearby barangays. Ash column was not observed
because of cloud cover. After dawn, field investigation showed ashfall had drifted
southwest of the volcano. In the 24-hour period, the seismic network recorded 20
volcanic earthquakes. Alert Status was kept at Level 2 indicating the current state of
unrest could lead to more ash explosion or eventually to hazardous magmatic
eruption.[21]

Mayon with ash explosion at dawn on December 18, 2009

At 8 pm on December 14, 2009, after 83 volcanic quakes in the preceding 24
hours[22] and increased sulfur dioxide emissions, PHIVOLCS raised the Alert status to
Level 3.[23]
Early in the morning of December 15, 2009, a moderate ash explosion occurred at
the summit crater and "quiet extrusion of lava" resulted in flows down to about 500
metres (1,600 ft) from the summit.[24] By evening, Albay Province authorities
evacuated about 20,000 residents out of the 8-kilometre (5.0 mi) danger zone and
into local evacuation centres. About 50,000 people live within the 8-kilometre (5.0 mi)
zone.[25][26]
On December 17, 2009, five ash ejections occurred, with one reaching 500 metres
(1,600 ft) above the summit. Sulfur dioxide emission increased to 2,758 tonnes per
24 hours, lava flows reached down to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) below the summit, and
incandescent fragments from the lava pile continuously rolling down Bonga Gully
reached a distance of 3–4 km below the summit. By midday, a total of 33,833 people
from 7,103 families had been evacuated, 72 percent of the total number of people
that needed to be evacuated, according to Albay Governor Joey Salceda. [27]
On December 20, 2009, PHIVOLCS raised Mayon's status level to alert level 4
because of an increasing lava flow in the southern portion of the volcano and an
increase in sulfur dioxide emission to 750 tonnes per day. Almost 460 earthquakes in
the volcano were monitored. In the border of the danger zone, rumbling sounds like
thunder were heard. Over 9,000 families (44,394 people) were evacuated by the
Philippine government from the base of the volcano. [28] No civilian was permitted
within the 8 km danger zone, which was cordoned off by the Philippine military who
actively patrolled to enforce the "no-go" rule and to ensure no damage or loss of
property of those evacuated.[29]

Mayon erupting on December 29, 2009.

Alert level 4 was maintained as the volcano remained restive through December,
prompting affected residents to spend Christmas and the New Year in evacuation
centers.[30] On December 25, sulfur dioxide emissions peaked at 8,993 tons per day.
[31][32]
On December 28, PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum commented on the
status of the volcano, "You might think it is taking a break but the volcano is still
swelling."[29] On the next day December 29, a civil aviation warning for the airspace
near the summit was included in the volcano bulletins. [33] The ejected volcanic
material since the start of the eruption was estimated to have been between 20
million to 23 million cubic meters of rocks and volcanic debris, compared to 50
million to 60 million cubic meters in past eruptions. [34]
On January 2, 2010, PHIVOLCS lowered the alert level of the volcano from level 4 to
level 3, citing decreasing activity observed over the prior four days. [35] The state
agency noted the absence of ash ejections and relative weakness of steam
emissions and the gradual decrease in sulfur dioxide emissions from a maximum of
8,993 tonnes per day to 2,621 tonnes per day. [32] 7,218 families within the 7–8 km
danger zones returned to their homes, while 2,728 families residing in the 4–6 km
danger zone remained in the evacuation centers pending a decision to further lower
the alert level.[36]
On January 13, 2010, PHIVOLCS reduced the Alert Level from 3 to 2 due to a further
reduction in the likelihood of hazardous eruption. [37]
Government response[edit]

Map showing major volcanoes of the Philippines

Albay governor Joey Salceda declared the disaster zone an 'open city' area to
encourage aid from external groups. Potential donors of relief goods were not
required to secure clearance from the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, and
were coordinated directly with support groups at the local government level. [38]
The restiveness of the volcano also stimulated the tourism industry of the province.
Up to 2,400 tourists per day arrived in the area in the two weeks after the volcano
started erupting on December 14, filling local hotels, compared to a more modest
average of 200 in the days prior. However it was reported that some tourists lured by
local "guides" ignored government warnings not to venture into the 8-kilometre
(5.0 mi) danger zone. "It's a big problem. I think the first violation of the zero casualty
(record) will be a dead tourist," said Salceda. [39]
Speaking about thrill-seekers finding their way into the area, Salceda warned, "At the
moment of the eruption, the local guides will have better chance of getting out. The
helpless tourist will be left behind."[39]
International response[edit]
Following the declaration of alert level 3 for the volcano, the United States issued an
advisory cautioning its nationals from traveling to Mayon. Canada and the United
Kingdom also posted advisories discouraging their nationals from visiting the
volcano.[40]
The United States government committed $100,000 in financial aid for the evacuees
of Mayon. In cooperation with the Philippine government the assistance was
delivered through the Philippine National Red Cross and other NGOs by USAID.[41]
The Albay provincial government ordered the local military to add more checkpoints,
place roadblocks and arrest tourists caught traveling inside the 8-kilometre (5.0 mi)
danger zone.[42]
Power and water supply were cut off within the danger zone to further discourage
residents from returning. The Commission on Human Rights allowed the use of
emergency measures and gave the authorities clearance to forcibly evacuate
residents who refused to leave.[43]
When the alert level around the volcano was lowered from alert level 4 to alert level
3 on January 2, 2010, the Albay provincial government ordered a decampment of
some 47,000 displaced residents from the evacuation centers. [44] Power and water
supply in the danger zones were restored.[30] Military vehicles were used to transport
the evacuees back to their homes, while food supplies and temporary employment
through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were provided
to the heads of each family.[44][45] As of January 3, 2010, the National Disaster
Coordinating Council reported the overall cost of humanitarian aid and other
assistance provided by the government and non-government organizations (NGOs)
has reached over 61 million pesos since the start of the eruption. [46]
The United Nations World Food Programme (UN-WFP) delivered 20 tons of high
energy biscuits to the evacuees to complement supplies provided by the DSWD, with
more allocated from emergency food stocks intended for relief from the effects of the
2009 Pacific typhoon season.[47] When the alert level was downgraded to level 3 on
January 2, 2010, UN-WFP provided three days worth of food for evacuees returning
to their homes who will continue to receive supplies already set aside for them. [35]