Mayon Volcano
Mayon Volcano as viewed from Lingñon Hill in Daraga, Albay
Elevation	2,463 metres (8,081 ft)
Location	Albay, Philippines
Coordinates	13°15′24″N 123°41′6″E / 13.25667, 123.685Coordinates: 13°15′24″N 123°41′6″E / 13.25667, 123.685
Type	Stratovolcano
Last eruption	2006

The Mayon Volcano is an active stratovolcano in the Philippines on the island of Luzon, in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region. Daraga is also another name for Albreda in The Gambia. Daraga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay is a province of the Philippines In topography a summit is a point on a surface which is higher in Elevation than all points immediately adjacent to The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit Albay is a province of the Philippines The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Mountains can be characterized in several ways Some mountains are Volcanoes and can be characterized by the type of lava and eruptive history A stratovolcano, also called a composite volcano is a tall conical Volcano composed of many layers of hardened Lava, Tephra, and Volcanic Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the A stratovolcano, also called a composite volcano is a tall conical Volcano composed of many layers of hardened Lava, Tephra, and Volcanic The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant Luzon is the largest and most economically and politically important Island in the Philippines and one of the three island groups in the country with Visayas The provinces of the Philippines are the primary administrative divisions of the Philippines. Albay is a province of the Philippines The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. The near perfectly cone shaped volcano is situated 15 kilometres northwest of Legazpi City. The City of Legazpi ( Bikol: Ciudad nin Legazpi; Filipino: Lungsod ng Legazpi) is a first class city and capital of the province

Mayon is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano, or composite volcano. Volcanology (also spelled vulcanology) is the study of Volcanoes, Lava, Magma, and related geological and Geophysical phenomena A stratovolcano, also called a composite volcano is a tall conical Volcano composed of many layers of hardened Lava, Tephra, and Volcanic Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the Its symmetric cone was formed through alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. A pyroclastic flow (also known as a pyroclastic density current) is a common and devastating result of some volcanic eruptions. Lava is molten rock expelled by a Volcano during an eruption When first expelled from a volcanic vent it is a Liquid at Temperatures Mayon is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted over 47 times in the past 400 years. It is located between the Eurasian and the Philippine Plate, at a convergent plate boundary: where a continental plate meets an oceanic plate, the lighter continental plate overrides the oceanic plate, forcing it down; magma is formed where the rock melts. The Eurasian Plate is a Tectonic plate which includes most of the continent of Eurasia (a landmass consisting of the traditional Continents of Europe The Philippine Plate is a Tectonic plate beneath the Pacific Ocean to the east of the Philippines. In Plate tectonics, a convergent boundary – also known as a convergent plate boundary or a destructive plate boundary – is an actively deforming region Magma (Plurals magmas and magmata) is molten rock that sometimes forms beneath the surface of the Earth (or any other Terrestrial planet Like other volcanoes located around the rim of the Pacific Ocean, Mayon is a part of the "Pacific Ring of Fire". It was known and famous as a "Perfect Cone" volcano because of its almost perfect shape.

Location and formation

Mayon Volcano in Albay showing its distance from the gulf

Mayon Volcano is the main landmark of Albay Province, Philippines. Albay is a province of the Philippines Albay is a province of the Philippines It is ten kilometres (6 mi) from the Gulf of Albay,^[1] in the municipalities of Legazpi City, Daraga, Camilig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Tabaco City, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo (clockwise from Legazpi). Albay Gulf is a large gulf in the southern part of Luzon island Philippines, at. The City of Legazpi ( Bikol: Ciudad nin Legazpi; Filipino: Lungsod ng Legazpi) is a first class city and capital of the province Daraga is also another name for Albreda in The Gambia. Daraga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Camalig is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. Guinobatan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. Ligao City is a 4th class city in the province of Albay, Philippines. For the narcotic see Tobacco. Tabaco City is a 4th class city in the province of Albay, Philippines. Malilipot is a 4th class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. Santo Domingo (originally named Lib-og) is a 4th class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. It rises 2462 m (8,077 ft) above the gulf. ^[2]

Mayon Volcano is the Philippines' most active volcano and is considered to be the world's most perfectly formed volcano^[1] for its symmetrical cone. It is a basaltic-andesitic volcano. Basalt (bəˈsɔːlt ˈbeisɔːlt ˈbæsɔːlt is a common Extrusive Volcanic rock. For the extinct cephalopod genus see Andesites. Andesite (ˈændəsaɪt is an igneous, Volcanic rock, of intermediate ^[2] The upper slopes of the volcano are steep averaging 35-40 degrees and are capped by a small summit crater. A volcanic crater is a circular depression in the ground caused by volcanic activity Its sides are layers of lava and other volcanic material.

Recorded eruptions

Mayon has had forty-seven eruptions in recorded history; the first recorded eruption was in 1616, the latest (prior to 2006) being a mild outpouring of lava in June 2001.

The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1814 ( MDCCCXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Lava flowed but not as much compared to the 1766 eruption. Instead, the volcano was belching dark ash and eventually bombarding the town with tephra that buried the town of Cagsawa—only the bell tower of the town's church remained above the new surface. Tephra is air-fall material produced by a volcanic eruption regardless of composition or fragment size Daraga is also another name for Albreda in The Gambia. Daraga is a 1st class municipality in the province of A Tower which contains one or more bells or which is obviously designed to hold bells (even if it has none is a bell tower. Trees were burned; rivers were certainly damaged. Proximate areas were also devastated by the eruption with ash accumulating to 9 m (30 ft) in depth. 2,200 Albay natives perished in what is considered as the most lethal eruption in Mayon's history. ^[1]

Mayon Volcano's longest eruption occurred on June 23, 1897 which lasted for seven days of raining fire. Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Lava once again flowed down to the civilization. Seven miles eastward, the village of Bacacay was buried 15 m (50 ft) beneath the lava. In Libog, 100 people were declared dead—incinerated by steam and falling debris or hot rocks. The other villages like San Roque, Misericordia and Santo Niño became deathtraps. Ash was carried in black clouds as far as 160 km (100 mi) from the catastrophic event. More than 400 persons were killed. ^[1] Samuel Kneeland, a professor and a geologist had observed the volcanic activity five months before the eruption. Kneeland was amazed with the beauty of Mayon:

Mayon Volcano on 23 September 1984

“

At night the scene was truly magnificent and unique. At the date of my visit the volcano had poured out. . . 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.

”

^[1]

No casualties were recorded from the 1984 eruption after more than 73,000 people were evacuated from the danger zones as recommended by scientists of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. ^[3] Pyroclastic flows killed 77 people, mainly farmers, in Mayon’s last fatal eruption in 1993. A pyroclastic flow (also known as a pyroclastic density current) is a common and devastating result of some volcanic eruptions.

2006 activity

• July 18, 2006: The number and size of incandescent rockfalls from the active lava dome, as well as sulfur oxide emissions, increased, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, which warned that pyroclastic flows or an explosive eruption could occur any time. Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Incandescence is the emission of Light (visible Electromagnetic radiation) from a hot body due to its temperature In Volcanology, a lava dome or plug dome is a roughly circular Mound -shaped protrusion resulting from the slow eruption of Felsic Lava A pyroclastic flow (also known as a pyroclastic density current) is a common and devastating result of some volcanic eruptions. An explosive eruption is a Volcanic term to describe a violent explosive type of Eruption.
• August 7, 2006: The Philippine government ordered the evacuation of about 20,000 people living near the volcano, stating that an eruption was feared soon^[4]. Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Volcanologists have detected 21 low-frequency volcanic earthquakes since early Sunday morning. A volcano tectonic earthquake is an earthquake induced by a movement of Magma. ^[5]
• August 8, 2006: The government expected to move some 34,276 people to 31 state-run shelters and warned that the mountain could explode at any time. Events 1220 - Sweden is defeated by Estonian tribes in the Battle of Lihula. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^{[6] [7]}

Mayon Volcano as seen from space.

• August 9, 2006: Volcanologists warned that Mount Mayon could explode at any time but that the gravitational pull of a full moon could provide the final push. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Full moon is a Lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. A full moon coincided with at least three of Mayon’s nearly 50 explosions over the last four centuries, including the two most recent in 2000 and 2001. Nearly 40,000 people have been moved from an 8 km (5 mi) danger zone on the southeast flank of the volcano, which has been quaking and spitting plumes of ash since July. ^[8]
• August 10, 2006: Scientists in the Philippines renewed warnings of a major explosion at the Mount Mayon volcano, describing a sudden period of quiet as "ominous". Events 612 BC - Killing of Sinsharishkun, King of Assyrian Empire Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. A drop in gas emissions and earthquakes sparked fears that the crater had plugged itself, increasing the likelihood of an explosive eruption. Volcanic gases include a variety of substances given off by active (or at times by dormant Volcanoes These include gases trapped in cavities ( Vesicles) in A volcanic crater is a circular depression in the ground caused by volcanic activity ^[9]
• August 11, 2006: Scientists said ground surveys showed Mayon was still "swollen" and registered a high number of volcanic earthquakes, emitted large amounts of sulfur dioxide gas and continued to eject lava down its slope nearly four weeks after it came to life in a "quiet" eruption on July 14. Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Lava is molten rock expelled by a Volcano during an eruption When first expelled from a volcanic vent it is a Liquid at Temperatures ^[10]

Philippines Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) maintains threat level at Alert Level 4 for the next month due to the continued extrusion of lava, ash explosions, steam and smoke plumes, seismic activity, and threat of further eruption.

• September 11, 2006 Philippines Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) downgrades threat level to Alert Level 3. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. "After the ash explosion of 01 September, a general decline in the overall activity of Mayon has been established. The decrease in key parameters such as seismicity, gas (Sulfur Dioxide) emission rates and ground inflation all indicate a waning condition. The slowdown in the eruptive activity is also evident from the decrease in intensity of crater glow and the diminishing volume of lava being extruded from the summit". ^[11]
• October 03, 2006 Philippines Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) downgrades threat level to Alert Level 2. Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. "All monitored key parameters such as earthquake levels, ground deformation and gas outputs further declined. In addition, lava extrusion apparently ceased on 01 October 2006 as reported by Ligñon Hill Observatory. The above observations indicate the absence of an intruding new mass of magma. " ^[12]
• October 25, 2006 Philippines Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) downgrades threat level to Alert Level 1 (no hazardous eruption imminent). Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[13]
• November 30, 2006: Typhoon Durian created mudslides of volcanic ash and boulders off of Mayon Volcano, killing hundreds and covering a large portion of the village of Padang (a barangay of Legazpi City) in mud up to houses' roofs. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Typhoon Durian (international designation 0621, JTWC designation 24W, designated Typhoon Reming by PAGASA and sometimes Mudslide redirects here it is also the name of a cocktail. A mudflow or mudslide is the most rapid (up to 80 km/h / 50 mph Volcanic ash consists of small Tephra, which are bits of pulverized rock and glass created by volcanic eruptions less than in diameter The City of Legazpi ( Bikol: Ciudad nin Legazpi; Filipino: Lungsod ng Legazpi) is a first class city and capital of the province ^{[14] [15]} The number of dead will never be known since many people are buried under the lahar and whole villages have disappeared, but is thought to be about 1000. A lahar is a type of Mudflow / Landslide composed of Pyroclastic material and Water that flows down from a Volcano, typically The Cagsawa area of Daraga was hit hard, the ruins from the eruption of 1814 were covered again. Daraga is also another name for Albreda in The Gambia. Daraga is a 1st class municipality in the province of Much of Guinobatan was destroyed, particularly Maipon. Guinobatan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. Aquinas University in Barangay Rawis of Legazpi City was hit, some students were buried by lahar in their dormitories.

Mayon Volcano overlooks a pastoral scene approximately five months before the volcano's violent eruption in September 1984.

References

External links

• Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council has Mt Mayon updates
• Climbing Mayon Volcano
• Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Mayon Volcano Page
• NASA Earth Observatory page
• Majestic Mt. Mayon - Cagsawa Ruin Park – images by Jenny Exconde.
• Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program - Mayon
• Mayon Volcano Natural Park
• Mayon Volcano – Philippines Travel Guide.