The whole world is celebrating Christmas and preparing for the New Year Celebration.
Some 40,000 people in Albay province, Philippines, are not. They are staying in evacuation centers because their houses are situated in the 8 km danger zone around Mayon Volcano. I feel sorry for them, not to be in their homes this time of the year.
mayon volcano december 24 2009
Source of the pictures: HERE
Flor and I are leaving next week for Albay to celebrate Flors fathers birthday on january 6, he is turning 95, and I will be celebrating my 60th birthday on january 7. Every year we are celebrating our birthdays together in Bicol. I hope to be able to make some pictures from Mayon myself.
Filipino time:
If that thing really blows it’s top 8km is a way too small evacuation area. Fortunately Mayon usually just flows or erupts in a more limited area. Hope your family is in a safe area.
Mayon is known for long lasting eruptions. Only rare that there is a ‘big bang’.
The most dangerous in volcanic eruptions are the gasses coming out. Those are highly toxic and hot. They can burn a whole area and destroy everything.
Mayon has several lahar flowing areas. A kind of canals where the lava flows, more or less regulated. When you go there you can see them clearly along the high way between Legazpi and Tabaco. They are colored dark grey to black, with large rocks coming from the volcano.
I will try to shoot some pictures when I will be there.
My wifes family lives at a safe distance of around 40 km from the volcano. Just some ashes have been falling there.
I was amazed at the mayon volcano and it wasn’t doing anything like that when i was there, my wife is from the area, i kept thinking what it would be like to grow up with it always in the background.
Hi Ron,
Thanks for visiting my website.
My wife is also from Albay. Where is your wife from?