Mayon: What might happen next
After an explosive eruption, the “perfect cone” could disappear partially or altogether
A major hazardous eruption could lead to large explosions destroying Mt Mayon. The erupting volcano could empty its magma chamber causing the much-admired “perfect cone” edifice to collapse into its depleted reservoir, and forming a caldera.
BEFORE: Mayon volcano, located in a coconut-growing region of the central Philippines, is famed for its near-perfect cone shape. Mt Mayon. Credit: Lozaphilippines. Image may be subject to copyright.
AFTER: If Mt Mayon edifice collapses into the magma chamber, the after image may look like the above. [The snow cover is less likely right now.] Photo shows Aniakchak Caldera in the Aleutian Range, Alaska. This 10 km diameter caldera formed about 3,450 years ago. Many smaller cinder cones have formed within the caldera. Credit: USGS
Mayon UPDATE:
As Mayon Volcano continued to eject 500-m plumes of ash into air, spewing lava down its slopes for a third day, and burning rocks, mud and everything else in its path, PHIVOLCS vulcanologists said they expected a major explosive eruption soon.
Up to 50,000 people have been or are about to be evacuated from Mayon’s danger zones and neighboring areas, Philippines Defense Secretary said in a news conference.
Many villagers are reluctant to live because its seasonal harvest time for their crops. They are staying put despite th eregional government threat of martial law.
PHIVOLCS, whose computer network is off the internet when there’s a crisis, as is the case right now, was reported ass saying it had recorded at least five minor explosions at the volcano on Wednesday, and 80 “high frequency quakes” in the last 24 hours.
For previous updates see:
- Mayon Lava in Interesting Times!
- Mayon Volcano Oozes Lava
- Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
- VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
- Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
- Mount Mayon neighbors on evacuation alert
- Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash
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