19 July '99

If you've always wanted to witness a volcano erupting now could be your big chance. Erupting volcanoes will be the new tourist attraction promoted by the Philippines if top scientists get their way. The Mayon volcano looks likely to erupt in the near future, and according to the country's chief vulcanologist the event should be promoted to tourists. The 2640m (8660ft) Mayon volcano, famed for its perfectly symmetrical cone, has been emitting steam for over two weeks and is currently on 'alert level two'. When it reaches alert level four an eruption is expected within the week. The most recent eruption in 1993 generated flows that killed 68 people and prompted the evacuation of 60,000 others. Volcano experts say viewers would be safe this time as long as they avoid the southeast side of the crater where lava is expected to flow. Visitors could safely get a panoramic view of the eruption from hotels 15km (9m) away from the peak. Mayon is near Legaspi City which can be reached in about 12 hours by bus or 45 minutes by plane from Manila. You can view the Mayon from the airport on a clear day.

1 March '00

Mount Mayon volcano erupted violently on Thursday, causing massive evacuations of the area. Around 30,000 people fled the area, many loaded into army trucks as lava, ash and rocks spewed from the volcano. Some rocks were the size of small cars, and ash rained on several villages. A river of lava gushed down the slope of Mount Mayon, with temperatures in the lava flows reaching around 1000 degrees celsius. Fourteen different explosions occurred over the day, and tremors reached as far as Legazpi, around 11km from the volcanic crater. One explosion produced an ash column 7km (4.3 mi) high.

Officials have advised residents of villages up to 8km (5 mi) away from the south eastern side of the volcano to evacuate, and experts warn that more explosions could occur at any time. The government declared a "state of calamity" in the entire province of Albay, so that those affected can be helped with food and shelter. Mount Mayon, about 250 km (155 mi) southeast of Manila, is the most active of the Philippines' volcanoes, and has erupted at least 45 times.

3 March '00

Extensive seismic activity at the Mayon Volcano in southern Luzon has forced Philippine authorities to rack up their assessment of the 2462m-high (8450ft) volcano from 'alarming' to 'critical'. The picture-perfect, symmetrical volcano has been grumbling since mid-1999. It last erupted in 1993, resulting in the deaths of over 70 people and the forced evacuation of 50,000 villagers. The volcano is located near the port of Legaspi, 250km (155mi) southeast of Manila. Travellers contemplating trekking in the area should contact the tourist office in Legaspi before venturing anywhere near the volcano.

9 March '00

The Philippines' Mount Mayon volcano continues to erupt, as 'pretend' refugees crowd relief centres. Monday saw the strongest explosion since the volcano erupted last week, sending a 7km column of ash into the air and sending lava streaming from the volcanic crater and pyroclastic flows pouring 4km down the mountain. All those living in the 'danger zone', a 6-8km radius around the volcano have been ordered to evacuate to shelters, schools, tents and government buildings. However it appears that many other people not living within the 'danger zone' area have crowded into evacuation centres, pretending to be refugees. The result is that over half of around 50,000 evacuees staying in the shelters should not be there. There are already insufficient toilets and facilities in the cramped centres, and officials fear that food and medical supplies will be depleted, and disease could break out. Disaster officials have said that although many of the 'unexpected' refugees are there for free food and relief goods, others are genuinely afraid of the eruptions, and will not be rejected. Authorities will compose a list stating which villages' residents will be entitled to evacuation resources. Vulcanologists warn the volcano could be emitting lava and superheated ash for up to two months.