Mayon (; , ), also known as Mount Mayon and Mayon Volcano, is an active stratovolcano in the province of Albay in Bicol, Philippines. A popular tourist destination, it is renowned for its "perfect cone" owing to its symmetric conical shape, and is regarded as sacred in Philippine mythology.
The volcano with its surrounding landscape was declared a national park on July 20, 1938, the first in the nation. It was reclassified as a natural park and renamed the Mayon Volcano Natural Park in 2000. It is the centerpiece of the Albay Biosphere Reserve as declared by UNESCO in 2016, and is currently being nominated as a World Heritage Site.
Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, and its activity is regularly monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) from their provincial headquarters on Ligñon Hill, about from the summit. The volcano is geographically shared by the eight cities and municipalities of Legazpi, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Tabaco, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo (clockwise from Legazpi), which divide the cone like slices of a pie when viewing a map of their political boundaries. A mumber of cinder cones surround the volcano, for example Ligñon Hill to the south east and Paulog Cinder Cone to the west.
Geology
Mayon is a classic stratovolcano with a small central summit crater. It is one of the world's most symmetrical volcanic cones.
The concave profile, a hyperbolic sine curve of the volcano is due to the balance between erosion and eruption, defined by the angle of repose of ash. The steepest upper slopes of the volcano reach an average slope gradient of 75%, while the lower foot slope is only an average of 3%. The volcanic crater is about in diameter. At least 85 lava flows have been identified, and consist mainly of lava augite-hypersthene-andesite, generally fed from the crater. Pyroclastic flows, characterized as a St. Vincent nuee' ardente, leave behind block and ash deposits, and breadcrust bombs in an ash and lapilli matrix. The farthest flow reached along Fidel Surtida, Santo Domingo. Mayon lahars were formed by rainstorms during eruptions, or by torrential rain afterwards. Averaging in height and in diameter, 7 cinder cones are found on the southern and southwestern lower slopes. Composed of olivine-augite basalt, these cones have an angle of repose of 34%, with Ligñon Hill and Paulog Cinder Cone having been sampled.
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. The Bicol Arc is one of 7 oceanic trench subduction zones defining the Philippine Mobile Belt. Volcanism in the Bicol Arc is related to the westward subduction of the Philippine Plate along the Philippine Trench. The 12 active and inactive volcanoes within the arc include the Mayon Volcano, Mount Bulusan, Mount Isarog, Mount Iriga, Malinao Volcano, and Mount Masaraga. In general, these are calc-alkali basalts, basaltic andesites, and andesites. Whole-genome sequencing subsequently confirmed a novel species within Streptomyces and studies showed activity against the human pathogens Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium, as well as inhibiting HCT116 cells from a human colorectal cancer cell line.
Japanese studies have suggested that the extremely thermophilic Calditerricola bacteria is found in volcanic ash samples from both Mayon and Mount Sakurajima in Japan.<!--this work has not resulted in identified directly relevant peer reviewed English language publications although ones on high temperature sewage samples exist from author and coworkers--->
Recorded eruptions
Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, erupting over 52 times in the past 500 years. The first eruption for which an extended account exists was the six-day event of July 20, 1766.
1814 eruption
thumb|right|An old photograph of the [[Cagsawa ruins in February 1 1814 with the façade still standing. The church was largely destroyed during the 1814 eruption of Mayon. Only the bell tower exists today, the façade having been demolished in the 1960's or 1970's due to structural integrity concerns.]]
Its most destructive recorded eruption occurred on February 1, 1814 (VEI=4).
1881–1882 eruption
From July 6, 1881, until approximately August 1882, 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:
<blockquote>
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 scintillations of a dying conflagration. More than half of the mountain height was thus illuminated.
</blockquote>
1897 eruption
thumb|right|Mount Mayon erupting on July 21, 1928
Mayon's longest uninterrupted eruption occurred on June 23, 1897 (VEI=4), and lasted for seven days. Lava once again flowed down to towns eastward, the village of Bacacay was buried beneath the lava. In Santo Domingo 100 people were killed by steam and falling debris or hot rocks. Other villages like San Roque, Santa Misericordia and Santo Niño became deathtraps. Ash was carried in black clouds as far as from the catastrophic event, which killed more than 400 people. But in 1993, pyroclastic flows killed 79 that also forced 50,000 residents evacuated, according to the Albay provincial government. On June 22, Mayon emitted an ash column that rose to approximately above the vent; the status was later raised to Alert Level 2.
2000 eruptions
Mayon had experienced continuous emissions since 1999 and followed by a series of eruptions in the next two consecutive years.
On January 5, a high ash column was produced by an explosion. Growth of summit-crater dome and intensifying eruptions later signaled evacuations. On February 23, series of eruptions began. PHIVOLCS then recommended evacuation even beyond the permanent danger zone. The most violent eruptions occurred from February 28 to March 1, and since then, declining activity was observed until April. Nearly 40,000 people were evacuated from the danger zone on the southeast flank of the volcano.
After an ash explosion on September 1, 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; to Level 2 on October 3; and to Level 1 on October 25.
2008 eruption
On August 10, 2008, a small summit explosion ejected ash above the summit, which drifted east-northeast. In the weeks prior to the eruption,
2009–2010 eruptions
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.
At 5:32 a.m. on October 28, a minor ash explosion lasting for about one minute occurred in the summit crater. A brown ash column rose about 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.
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.
thumb|right|Mayon with [[volcanic ash|ash explosion at dawn on December 18, 2009]]
At 8 pm on December 14, after 83 volcanic quakes in the preceding 24 hours and increased sulfur dioxide emissions, PHIVOLCS raised the Alert status to Level 3.
Early in the morning of December 15, a moderate ash explosion occurred at the summit crater and "quiet extrusion of lava" resulted in flows down to about from the summit. By evening, Albay Province authorities evacuated about 20,000 residents out of the danger zone and into local evacuation centres. About 50,000 people live within the zone.
On December 17, five ash ejections occurred, with one reaching above the summit. Sulfur dioxide emission increased to 2,758 tonnes per 24 hours, lava flows reached down to 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.
On December 20, 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 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. 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.
right|thumb|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. On December 25, sulfur dioxide emissions peaked at per day. 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." The ejected volcanic material since the start of the eruption was estimated to have been between of rocks and volcanic debris, compared to in recent eruptions.
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. 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 per day to per day.
On January 13, PHIVOLCS reduced the Alert Level from 3 to 2 due to a further reduction in the likelihood of hazardous eruption.
Government response
thumb|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.
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 danger zone. "It's a big problem. I think the first violation of the zero casualty (record) will be a dead tourist," said Salceda.
International response
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.
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.
The Albay provincial government ordered the local military to add more checkpoints, place roadblocks and arrest tourists caught traveling inside the danger zone.
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.
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. Power and water supply in the danger zones were restored.
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.
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. 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. The event killed five climbers, of whom three were German, one was a Spaniard living in Germany, and one was a Filipino tour guide. Seven others were reported injured. The bodies of the hikers were soon located by the authorities. However, due to rugged and slippery terrain, the hikers' remains were slowly transferred from Camp 2 to Camp 1, the site of the rescue operations at the foot of the volcano. According to Butch Rivera of Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, the hikers died due to trauma in their bodies, and suffocation. Authorities were also able to rescue a Thai national who was unable to walk due to fatigue and had suffered a broken arm and burns on the neck and back. Despite the eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology stated that the alert level would remain at 0. and no evacuation was being planned.
International response
The government of the United Kingdom advised its nationals to follow the advisories given by the local authorities, and respect the 6 km permanent danger zone. The advisory was given a day after the explosion.
2014
On August 12, 2014, a new high lava dome appeared in the summit crater. This event was preceded by inflations of the volcano (measured by precise leveling, tilt data, and GPS), and increases in sulfur dioxide gas emissions. On September 14, rockfall events at the southeastern rim of the crater and heightened seismic activity caused PHIVOLCS to increase the alert level for Mayon from 2 to 3, which indicates relatively high unrest with magma at the crater, and that hazardous eruption is possible within weeks.
The rockfalls and visible incandescence of the crater from molten lava and hot volcanic gas both indicated a possible incipient breaching of the growing summit lava dome. On September 15, NASA's Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) detected thermal anomalies near Mayon's summit, consistent with magma at the surface. On September 16, provincial governor Joey Salceda said that the government would begin to "fast-track the preparation to evacuate 12,000 families in the extended danger zone", and soldiers would enforce the no-go areas.
On September 18, PHIVOLCS reported 142 VT earthquake events and 251 rockfall events. White steam plumes drifted to the south-southwest and rain clouds covered the summit. Sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) emission was measured at after a peak of on September 6. Deformation (precise leveling and tiltmeters) during the 3rd week of August 2014 recorded edifice inflation.
2018 activity
On January 13, 2018, at 4:21 pm (PST), a phreatic eruption occurred that propelled a grayish steam and ash plume approximately 2500 meters high that drifted to the southwest side of the volcano. The activity lasted approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes and ash fell in Barangay Anoling, Daraga, Barangays Sua, Quirangay, Tumpa, Ilawod and Salugan of Camalig and in Barangays Tandarora, Maninila, and Travesia in Guinobatan. Sulfuric odor was noted by residents of Camalig town proper. Rumbling sounds were also heard by residents of Brgy. Anoling, Daraga and rockfall events were intermittently recorded. Faint crater glow was first observed at 10:16 pm. The event prompted PHIVOLCS to raise the Alert Level of Mayon from Alert Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 2- (increasing unrest for the people's safety). About 40,000 residents were displaced in the resulting evacuation.
On January 14, Mayon's alert status was upgraded to Alert Level 3 (increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption) after 3 phreatic eruptions and 158 rockfall events were recorded. The summit crater also exhibited a bright glow signifying the growth of a new lava dome and the start of lava flows towards its slopes.
On January 16, the province of Albay declared a state of calamity as lava flows reached the limits of the evacuation zone.
On January 22, Alert Level 4 was raised after Mayon spewed a tall ash column at around 12:45 pm. Classes in all levels in private and public schools were suspended in the whole province of Albay. By evening, lava fountains were spewed from the crater with pyroclastic flows and ash plumes. Lava bombs and rockfalls could also be observed and rumbling sounds from the eruptions could be heard. The eruption type was classified as a Strombolian eruption.
On January 23, Mayon spewed lava fountains and ash plumes with a 4 to 5-hour interval. Lava bombs and rockfalls could also be observed and sounds from the volcano could be heard. Classes in all levels, both public and private were still suspended, work in some places were suspended as well. The danger zone was expanded up to despite remaining at Alert Level 4 and residents from the expanded danger zone were evacuated.
On January 24, a column of ash and lava fountains were spewed again with an interval of 4 to 5 hours. Fire bombs and rockfalls were observed and sounds from the eruptions were heard.
On January 25, a column of ash and lava fountains were spewed again. Fire bombs and rockfalls were observed and sounds from the eruptions were heard. The eruptions had an interval of 3 to 5 hours.
Alert Level 4 was maintained at the volcano for the rest of January and all throughout the month of February as it remained restive. On March 6, after observing a decline in volcanic activity, PHIVOLCS downgraded the alert level back to Alert Level 3. On March 29, after observing a further decline in activity, PHIVOLCS lowered the alert level back to Alert Level 2 signifying the end of Mayon's eruptive activity and the volcano's decline to a moderate level of unrest.
On December 26, Mayon caused two phreatic explosions but remained under Alert Level 2.
2020 crater glow
thumb|2020 Mayon Volcano Crater Glow
On the evening of February 4, 2020, PHIVOLCS reported that the crater of Mayon showed crater glow, attributed to magma which was still present slightly underneath the surface of the volcano. Even though this phenomenon alerted the officials and the public, Mayon remained at an Alert Level 2 out of 5. The Alert Level 2 was lowered to Alert Level 1 on July 17, 2020. And on July 30, 2021, PHIVOLCS-DOST lifted the alert level status of the volcano.
2022 activity
On October 1, 2022, Mayon released of sulfur dioxide, and its edifice was also slightly inflated.
PHIVOLCS observed a faint crater glow at the summit of Mayon. One volcanic earthquake was detected in the last 24-hour observation period. Plumes were also seen drifting west-northwest and westward.
On October 7, the status of Mayon was raised to Alert Level 2 by PHIVOLCS, due to exhibiting "increasing unrest".
2023 eruption
On June 5, 2023, PHIVOLCS raised the status of Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 2 due to its "increasing unrest", after it observed an increase in rockfall from the volcano's summit lava dome since the last week of April, indicating aseismic growth. Rockfall increased in frequency from an average of five events per day to 49 events per day from June 4 at 5:00 a.m. to June 5 at 5:00 a.m. A total of 318 rockfall events were recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network since April 1 while 26 volcanic earthquakes were recorded for the same period.
On June 8, the alert level in Mayon was raised to Level 3, signifying "increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption", and that an effusive magmatic eruption was taking place. An incandescent rockfall was recorded in the evening. On June 9, PHIVOLCS recorded six pyroclastic flows and 199 rockfall events from the volcano overnight. The province of Albay was placed under a state of calamity due to the unrest.
On June 11–12 there were more eruptions. On the night of June 15, the volcano registered its largest pyroclastic flow since the resumption of its activity, with ashfall affecting parts of Ligao and Guinobatan. On June 18, the volcano's lava flow reached a maximum length of from the crater, which ran down the Mi-isi gully in the south side and the Bonga gully in the southeastern side of the volcano, while debris from the summit reached as far as from the crater.
Twenty thousand people living within the volcano's danger zone were evacuated. At least 628 people required medical treatment due to the effects of the eruption and complications arising from evacuation measures.
On June 30, Mayon emitted a pyroclastic flow that lasted four minutes and traveled around downslope on the Basud Gully. Ashfall was reported in Tabaco City.
On December 8, PHIVOLCS lowered the volcano's activity status to alert level 2.
2024
On February 4, 2024, Mayon underwent a phreatic eruption that lasted four minutes and nine seconds and produced a high plume. On March 5, PHIVOLCS lowered the volcano's alert status to level 1.
2026
On January 1, 2026, PHIVOLCS raised Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 2 amid escalating signs of volcanic unrest, with 47 rockfall events recorded the previous day—the highest single-day total observed in the past year. Five days later, on January 6, the alert level was further elevated to Alert Level 3 following a magmatic eruption that generated pyroclastic density currents down the volcano’s southeastern slope. On January 20, a state of calamity was declared in Tabaco due to the ongoing activity.
On May 2, a lava flow collapse caused a pyroclastic flow on its southwestern slopes with an estimated run-out of . Ash fell as far as San Pascual on the island province of Masbate, while 102,406 people were affected, mostly in Camalig and Guinobatan. Damages to agriculture reached . A state of calamity was subsequently declared in three cities (Legazpi, Ligao and Tabaco) and five municipalities (Camalig, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Daraga, and Guinobatan) following the event. On May 25, PHIVOLCS recorded a meteor which disintegrated midair close to Mayon.
Deadly lahars
thumb|right|The bell tower is what remains of the [[Cagsawa ruins|Cagsawa Church, which was damaged by the 1814 eruption of Mayon. It withstood the damage done by Typhoon Durian (Reming) in 2006.]]
On November 30, 2006, strong rainfall which accompanied Typhoon Durian produced lahars from the volcanic ash and boulders of the last eruption killing at least 1,266 people. The precise figure may never be known since many people were buried under the mudslides. A large portion of the village of Padang, an outer suburb of Legazpi City, was covered in mud up to the houses' roofs. Students from Aquinas University in Barangay Rawis, also in Legazpi, were among those killed as mudslides engulfed their dormitory. Central Legazpi escaped the mudslide but suffered from severe flooding and power cuts.
Parts of the town of Daraga were also devastated, including the Cagsawa area, where the ruins from the eruption of 1814 were partially buried once again. Large areas of Guinobatan were destroyed, particularly Barangay Maipon.
A similar post-eruption lahar occurred in October 1766, months after the July eruption of that year. The heavy rainfall also accompanying a violent typhoon carried down disintegrated fragmental ejecta, burying plantations and whole villages. In 1825, the event was repeated in Cagsawa killing 1,500 people.
Monitoring
<!-- Needs free/fair use picture of Ligñon Hill observatory. -->
Three telemetric units are installed on Mayon's slopes, which send information to the seven seismometers in different locations around the volcano. These instruments relay data to the Ligñon Hill observatory and the PHIVOLCS central headquarters on the University of the Philippines Diliman campus.
PHIVOLCS also deploys electronic distance meters (EDMs), precise leveling benchmarks, and portable fly spectrometers to monitor the volcano's daily activity.
Alert levels
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:95%;"
|+ Mayon Volcano Alert Levels
! scope="col" style="width:5%;" | Alert Level
! scope="col" style="width:45%;" | Criteria
! scope="col" style="width:50%;" | Interpretation/Recommendation
|-
! scope="row" | 0
No Alert (Normal)
| All monitored parameters within background levels. Unremarkable level of volcanic earthquakes occurring within the volcano area.
| Quiescence; no magmatic eruption is foreseen. However, there are perennial hazards (sudden explosions, rockfalls and landslides) within the four (4) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) that may occur suddenly and without warning.
|-
! scope="row" | 1
(Low Level of Volcanic Unrest)
| Slight increase in volcanic earthquake and steam/gas activity. Sporadic explosions from the summit crater or new vents. Notable increase in the temperature, acidity and volcanic gas concentrations of monitored springs and fumaroles. Slight inflation or swelling of the edifice.
| Hydrothermal, magmatic, or tectonic disturbances may be underway. The source of activity may be shallow, near the summit crater or in the vicinity of the edifice. Entry into the PDZ must be prohibited.
|-
! scope="row" | 2
(Moderate Level of Volcanic Unrest)
| Elevated levels of any of the following parameters: volcanic earthquake, temperature, acidity and volcanic gas concentrations of monitored springs and fumaroles, steam and ash explosions from the summit crater or new vents, inflation or swelling of the edifice.
| Probable intrusion of magma at depth, which may or may not lead to magmatic eruption. Entry within PDZ must be prohibited.
|-
! scope="row" | 3
(High Level of Volcanic Unrest)
| Sustained increases in the levels of volcanic earthquakes, some of which may be perceptible. More energetic and frequent steam/ash explosions. Sustained increases in the temperature, acidity and volcanic gas concentrations of springs and fumaroles, and in the levels of ground deformation or swelling of the edifice. Activity at the summit may involve sluggish lava extrusion with resultant rockfall.
| Magmatic intrusion to shallow levels of the edifice is driving unrest, with indications that hazardous eruption could occur in weeks. Danger zones may be expanded to a radius of six (6) kilometers from the summit crater or active vent.
|-
! scope="row" | 4
(Hazardous Eruption Imminent)
| Intensifying unrest characterized by earthquake swarms and volcanic tremor, many of which may be perceptible. Frequent strong ash explosions. Increasing rates of ground deformation and swelling of the edifice. Increasing rates of lava extrusion with increased frequency and volume of rockfall and volcanic gas flux, or abrupt decrease in volcanic gas flux due to plugging of lava at the summit crater or active vent.
| Low-level magmatic eruption underway, which can progress to highly hazardous major eruption within hours or days. Danger zones may be expanded to a radius of ten (10) kilometers or more from the summit crater or active vent.
|-
! scope="row" | 5 (Hazardous Eruption in Progress)
| Magmatic eruption characterized by explosive production of tall ash-laden eruption columns, and/or descent and frequent failure of voluminous lava flows. Generation of deadly pyroclastic flows, surges and/or lateral blasts and widespread tephra fall (ashfall). Lahars generate along river channels.
| Life-threatening major eruption producing volcanic hazards that endanger communities. Danger zones may be expanded to fourteen (14) kilometers as eruption progresses.
|}
Mythology
thumb|Mayon as viewed from Sumlang Lake in [[Camalig, Albay in May 2017]]
It is said that the volcano grew from the burial grounds of lovers Magayon and Panganoron. Thus, the ancient Bicolanos named it after the legendary princess-heroine Daragang Magayon (). After some time, the volcano was chosen as the abode of the supreme god of the Bicolano people, Gugurang, who also chose Mayon as the repository of the sacred fire of Ibalon.
See also
- Indigenous Philippine shrines and sacred grounds
- Cagsawa Ruins
- List of volcanoes in the Philippines
- List of active volcanoes in the Philippines
- List of potentially active volcanoes in the Philippines
- List of inactive volcanoes in the Philippines
- List of volcanic eruptions by death toll
- List of protected areas of the Philippines
- List of Southeast Asian mountains
- List of mountains in the Philippines
- List of Ultras of the Philippines
- Geography of the Philippines
References
</references>
External links
- Mayon Volcano Bulletin – PHIVOLCS
- Smithsonian Institution page on Mayon