Philippine volcano spews hot gas, debris
Pastor Dale Morgan
Philippine volcano spews hot gas, debris *
By TERESA CEROJANO Associated Press Writer
Sunday, August 13, 2006 3:20 p.m. ET
LEGAZPI, Philippines (AP) -- Searing gas and debris raced down the slope
of the Mayon volcano in the Philippines this weekend, a development that
showed the volcano has entered a much more threatening cycle, a
scientist said.
The burst of pyroclastic flow Saturday marked the first time Mayon shot
out fast-moving hot gas and rock fragments after weeks of showing signs
of a major eruption, volcanologist Ed Laguerta said Sunday.
"This is really the dangerous phase," said Laguerta. "We're not worried
much with lava flows because they're slow moving, but pyroclastic flows
travel at such high velocity and could destroy almost everything in its
path."
Blistering gas and volcanic debris can travel 40 mph or more per hour,
he said.
Mayon continued to show signs of restiveness Sunday, emitting abnormally
high levels of sulfuric dioxide and puffing ash at least six times.
Mayon, a popular tourist attraction because of its nearly perfect
conical shape, is one of the Philippines' 22 active volcanos. It is
located 210 miles southeast of Manila on Luzon island.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology predicted more
pyroclastic flows in the next few days and urged villagers not to
venture into an extended danger zone around the volcano. Volcanologists
have been saying the 8,077-foot Mayon may be gearing up for an explosive
eruption.
Authorities have ordered the mandatory evacuation of people within the
volcano's danger zone, and nearly 45,000 people have been moved to 27
temporary shelters, mostly school buildings in Albay province.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Saturday visited villagers in
shelters. She ordered officials to speed up efforts to improve
conditions at overcrowded evacuation centers and ensure adequate food
and medicine.
The volcano's most violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200
people, many of whom sought shelter in a church that was buried by lava.