Eye Opener: Volcano erupts in the Philippines

Manila, October 30 - One of the Philippines' most active volcanoes, Mount Mayon, erupted in a "moderately explosive eruption" that sent a 3,000-metre ash column skyward, according to the state seismology office. No immediate casualties or damage were reported in towns and cities surrounding the mountain, but the volcano institute raised the alert level from 2 to 3 on its 0-5 scale and ordered evacuations within six kilometres of the crater.

The ash column drifted southwest, eventually affecting nearby population centres. Mount Mayon, standing at 2,462 metres, is one of three Philippine volcanoes showing elevated activity this year. The institute warned of potential lava flows and hazardous pyroclastic density currents, urging local officials to evacuate areas near the crater due to the dangers posed by PDCs, lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.

Airplanes were also advised to avoid flying close to the mountain. Mount Mayon, located about 330 kilometres southeast of Manila, is one of three Philippine volcanoes exhibiting heightened activity this year, although no major eruptions have occurred. In June 2023, over 12,000 residents living on the volcano's lower slopes were relocated to evacuation centres to avoid ash and toxic gases emitted from its crater.

Earthquakes and volcanic activity are frequent in the Philippines due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. The country's most powerful eruption in recent times was Mount Pinatubo in 1991, which claimed over 800 lives and generated an ash cloud that traveled thousands of kilometres.