In the Philippines, nearly 3,000 villagers have been evacuated from the area surrounding Mayon Volcano, which has exhibited mild eruptions and caused authorities to raise the alert level to 3. This increase follows the detection of intermittent rockfalls and pyroclastic flows from the volcano’s summit. Teresito Bakorkor, the chief volcanologist, noted that while lava is accumulating and causing surface changes, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to a significant eruption.
Authorities have evacuated over 2,800 residents from within a 6-kilometer danger zone, emphasizing that this area has long been designated as hazardous. Additionally, around 600 villagers outside this zone have voluntarily sought refuge in government evacuation centers. Despite strict prohibitions on settlement, many locals continue to live in the danger zone, drawn by agricultural opportunities and tourism.
Mayon Volcano is notorious for its perfect conical shape and is a popular tourist destination, although it is also the most active volcano in the Philippines, with 54 eruptions recorded since 1616. The region is marked by historical devastation, such as the 1814 eruption that buried a church and killed about 1,200 people. The situation highlights the challenges faced by many impoverished Filipinos who live in hazardous areas due to a lack of options, as the country is prone to natural disasters, including approximately 20 typhoons annually.
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