Philippines' most active volcano: Mayon eruption may last months | DW News

DW News

14 Jun 202306:45

Summary

TLDRNearly 15,000 people in the Philippines have been evacuated due to volcanic activity from the Mayon Volcano, which began spewing hot lava and ash. A seven-kilometer danger zone has been established, with farmers reluctant to leave their livelihoods behind. Authorities anticipate a possible hazardous eruption soon. While evacuations are currently voluntary, many have already moved to shelters. The volcano, one of the Philippines' most active, has a history of deadly eruptions. Preparations are ongoing, but challenges remain in housing people and providing essential supplies.

Takeaways

🌋 Nearly 15,000 people in the Philippines have been evacuated due to the Mayon Volcano spewing hot lava.
🛑 A seven-kilometer danger zone has been established around the volcano to protect nearby residents.
🌋 The Mayon Volcano, located in Albay province, is the Philippines' most active volcano, with its last eruption occurring in 2018.
🔥 The volcano began spilling lava on June 11 after several days of smoke and gas emissions.
😷 Nearby residents are being affected by harmful dust, lava, and ash falling from the volcano.
🚜 Most of the evacuated people are farmers, reluctant to leave their livelihoods and livestock behind.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Evacuees are staying in evacuation centers, with authorities providing food, water, and shelter, although more resources are needed.
🚨 The volcano's alert level is at 3, indicating a hazardous eruption could occur within weeks or days.
🐄 Authorities have also evacuated around 10,000 farm animals to shelters outside the danger zone.
🌎 The Philippines is used to dealing with volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, but long-term displacement remains a challenge for residents.

Q & A

What is the current situation with the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines?
-The Mayon Volcano in the Philippines has been spewing hot lava, leading to the evacuation of nearly 15,000 people. Authorities have established a seven-kilometer danger zone around the volcano.
When did the volcanic activity at Mayon begin?
-The Mayon Volcano began spewing hot lava on June 11, following days of smoke and gas emissions.
What are the main concerns for the villagers living near Mayon Volcano?
-The villagers are concerned about their safety due to the volcanic activity, but many are also worried about leaving behind their livelihoods, particularly their livestock.
Why are some people choosing to stay in the danger zone despite the warnings?
-Some people are choosing to stay because evacuations are not yet mandatory. Many are reluctant to leave their homes and livestock behind, which are their primary source of income.
What measures are local authorities taking to ensure people's safety?
-Local authorities have evacuated nearly 15,000 people and 10,000 farm animals. They have set up evacuation centers, and a seven-kilometer danger zone is being strictly enforced by the police and army.
What challenges are the evacuees facing in the evacuation centers?
-Evacuees are staying in makeshift camps, schools, and community centers. They are facing challenges like lack of proper shelter, food, clean drinking water, and an uncertain duration of displacement.
How is the government supporting the displaced families?
-Each family in the evacuation centers is given a tent, hot meals, and a box of supplies that includes powdered milk, sardines, rice, and other basic necessities.
How prepared is the Philippines for volcanic eruptions like the one from Mayon?
-The Philippines is accustomed to volcanic activity due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Authorities have experience handling such situations and are evacuating people based on daily assessments of the volcano's activity.
Has Mayon Volcano caused significant destruction in the past?
-Yes, Mayon Volcano has had deadly eruptions in the past. In 1814, one of its eruptions killed over 1,000 people and buried several villages.
What is the forecast for Mayon’s activity in the near future?
-The volcano is currently at alert level 3, which indicates that a hazardous eruption could occur within weeks or days, according to authorities.

Outlines

00:00

🌋 Evacuations Begin as Mayon Volcano Spews Lava

Nearly 15,000 people in the Philippines have been evacuated due to increasing volcanic activity from the Mayon Volcano, located in the Albay province. A seven-kilometer danger zone has been established, and villagers within the area are being moved to safety. The volcano, one of the most active in the Philippines, began spewing hot lava on June 11, following days of smoke and gas emissions. Despite appearing less dangerous during the day, harmful dust and ash are falling on nearby communities. The evacuation is not mandatory yet, as officials believe the full eruption might take time, but people are taking precautions. Most evacuees are farmers worried about their livelihoods, while some are experiencing displacement for the second time in their lives due to volcanic activity.

05:01

🚜 Farmers and Animals Affected by Evacuations

Local authorities are prioritizing the safety of both residents and their livestock, as many of those living near Mayon Volcano are farmers. With the danger zone extended to seven kilometers, more than 10,000 farm animals have also been evacuated to safe areas. Each family is provided with basic necessities such as tents, hot meals, and supplies like powdered milk and rice. Although the response has been swift, the authorities are challenged by the need for additional food, water, and shelter as the situation may require evacuees to stay in camps for an indefinite period.

🔥 Preparedness for Volcanic Eruptions in the Philippines

As part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is no stranger to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Mayon Volcano last erupted in 2018, and authorities are experienced in managing such crises. However, they are closely monitoring the current situation, adjusting evacuations and safety measures based on the volcano's activity level. Some residents might need to stay in evacuation centers for months, depending on how long the danger persists. While they follow the alert systems, authorities ensure that people are moved to safety as needed, relying on their past experience with similar emergencies.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mayon Volcano

The Mayon Volcano is one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes, located in the Albay province. It has a history of eruptions, with its most recent occurring in 2018. In the script, the volcano is central to the story, as it has been spewing hot lava and threatening the lives of nearly 15,000 people, causing widespread evacuations.

💡Evacuation

Evacuation refers to the process of moving people away from a dangerous area to ensure their safety. In this case, nearly 15,000 residents living around the Mayon Volcano have been evacuated due to the threat of volcanic activity. This process is crucial for preventing loss of life in the danger zone.

💡Lava

Lava is molten rock expelled from a volcano during an eruption. The Mayon Volcano began spewing hot lava on June 11, which poses a direct threat to nearby residents. The presence of lava makes the situation more dangerous, prompting evacuations and creating a seven-kilometer danger zone.

💡Danger Zone

The danger zone is an area around the volcano deemed too hazardous for people to remain in due to the risk of eruption. Initially set at a six-kilometer radius, the danger zone around the Mayon Volcano was extended to seven kilometers as the volcanic activity intensified. Residents within this area were evacuated to safer locations.

💡Volcanic Ash

Volcanic ash consists of fine particles ejected during an eruption that can cause harm when inhaled and damage crops, buildings, and machinery. In the script, ash is described as raining down on nearby residents, adding to the danger posed by the ongoing volcanic activity.

💡Farmers

Farmers are highlighted as a key group affected by the evacuation, as many of the residents living near the Mayon Volcano depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. They are hesitant to leave behind their farms and livestock, which are their primary sources of income, making evacuation especially difficult for them.

💡Alert Level 3

Alert Level 3 is part of a five-step warning system used to measure volcanic activity. It signifies that a hazardous eruption is likely in the coming days or weeks. The Mayon Volcano had been raised to this level, which led to the evacuation of residents and farm animals. The alert level is closely monitored by local authorities to gauge the severity of the situation.

💡Pacific Ring of Fire

The Pacific Ring of Fire is a region around the Pacific Ocean where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common due to tectonic plate movements. The Philippines is part of this area, making it prone to natural disasters like volcanic eruptions. The frequent eruptions of Mayon Volcano are attributed to its location in this seismic zone.

💡1814 Eruption

The 1814 eruption of Mayon Volcano was one of its most devastating, killing over 1,000 people and burying several villages. This historical event is mentioned in the script as a reminder of the volcano's potential for destruction and why authorities are taking precautions to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring.

💡Evacuation Centers

Evacuation centers are temporary shelters where displaced residents stay after being evacuated from dangerous areas. In the case of the Mayon Volcano, people are taking refuge in schools, public fields, and community centers. These centers provide essential supplies, such as food and water, but more resources are needed as the situation continues.

Highlights

Nearly 15,000 people in the Philippines have been evacuated due to lava spewing from Mayon Volcano.

Mayon Volcano, located in the Albay province, is the Philippines' most active volcano.

A seven-kilometer danger zone has been established around Mayon, and villagers within it are being evacuated.

Mayon's last eruption occurred in 2018, and the current activity began on June 11 with lava spilling after days of smoke and gas emissions.

Although the volcano may look less harmful during the day, it is raining harmful dust and ash on nearby residents.

Farmers in the affected areas are particularly nervous about leaving their livelihoods behind, as many have had to leave livestock.

Evacuations are currently voluntary, and people are staying in evacuation centers and makeshift camps.

Some evacuees are experiencing displacement for the second time due to volcanic activity.

The volcano has a deadly history, with an eruption in 1814 killing over 1,000 people and burying villages.

Authorities are taking precautions, with police and army personnel preventing people from entering the danger zone.

Streams of lava continue to light up the night sky, drawing attention from local residents.

Nearly 10,000 farm animals have been evacuated to feeding camps and shelters outside the danger zone.

The majority of the residents living near Mayon Volcano are farmers, making their livestock a crucial source of income.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation with the volcano at alert level 3, indicating a hazardous eruption could happen soon.

Evacuated families are being provided with tents, hot meals, and supplies, but more assistance, including food and clean water, is needed for the displaced population.

The Philippines is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and volcanic activity is common; residents may need to stay in evacuation centers for months.