Magayon

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Mayon Volcano

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Elevation: 2,463 metres (8,077 feet)

Location: Albay, Philippines

Type: Stratovolcano

Last eruption: 2006

Additional Info:Mayon Volcano is an active volcano in the Philippines on the island of Luzon, in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region. Its almost perfectly-shaped cone is considered by some to be the Philippine equivalent of Mount Fuji in Japan.

The volcano is situated 15 kilometres northwest of Legazpi City.Mayon is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano (composite volcano).

Its symmetric cone was formed through alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted over 50 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. Like other volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean, Mayon is a part of the "Pacific Ring of Fire".

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In 1814, the Mayon Volcano erupted, spewing scolding lava and 30 feet of ash over the ancient town of Cagsawa- 30 minutes from the city of Legaspi. Frightened, over a thousand townsfolk took refuge in the local church and were ultimately buried alive. Today, nothing but the bell tower and some old ruins remain scattered about the grounds. Aside from the area's tragic history, it offers a spectacular view, and a constant reminder, of the beauty and danger of the Mount Mayon Volcano.

At 2,420 meters in height, Mt. Mayon is internationally know to be one of the few volcanoes in the world with a perfectly symmetrical cone. She is said to be the twin sister of Mt. Fuji in Japan. It has erupted almost 50 times in the last 400 years, making it the most active volcano in The Philippines.

In July, 2006, Mt. Mayon came alive again with a silent eruption. Almost 40,000 people were evacuated from the region, until August when the eruption seemed less imminent (although the swollen mountain did cause some alarm.) The disaster actually came in November of that year when Typhoon Durian hit the area sending mudslides of lahar, or volcanic rocks, and water zooming down to the Casagwa area of Daraga again, covering the homes up to their rooftops in mud and ash. Students were buried alive in their dormitories. Because whole villages were wiped clear off the map, the death toll may never be known, but it is believed to be at least over 1,000 people.