Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Mayon Volcano Alert

20,000 evacuated as Mayon Volcano oozes lava



MANILA, Philippines -- Alert level 3 remained hoisted over Mayon Volcano as of Tuesday because of its highly restive state, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In a bulletin released by the agency on Tuesday, it said the alert level meant the enforcement of a six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) around the volcano.

In addition, a seven-kilometer extended danger zone on the southeast flank of the volcano is also off-limits.

These areas, Phivolcs said, “should be free from human activity because of sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.”

“In addition, areas in the southeast that are outside the seven kilometer danger zone but within eight kilometers of the crater should be on extra alert for increased volcanic activity,” the agency said.