New warning over erupting Mayon volcano

The Philippines Star - August 10, 2006 1:52:09 PM (Manila time)

LEGASPI (AFP) - Philippine scientists Thursday gave renewed warnings of a major explosion at the erupting Mayon volcano, as steaming lava poured down its slopes and thousands huddled in evacuation camps.

Mayon's chief monitor Ernesto Corpuz said the volcano, which has been rumbling and oozing molten rock for about three weeks, may erupt in spectacular fashion in the coming days.

"It is at this time that the volcanic activity could be gearing up for a bigger explosion," Corpuz told AFP.

"This is going to be a critical time," he said, adding: "This kind of unusual quiet is ominous."

Official warnings about Mayon, the country's most active volcano which has claimed more than 1,000 lives over the years, have forced the evacuation of some 40,000 villagers from around the central mountain.

While obvious signs of activity have slackened in the past two days, lava continues to pour down gullies on the slopes of the picturesque, cone-shaped mountain which is a major tourist attraction.

About 40,000 people have been evacuated from villages within a six to eight kilometer (four-five mile) danger zone since Monday in case of an explosion that could cover surrounding areas with deadly volcanic ash.

The residents have been herded into makeshift evacuation centers, mainly school buildings where sometimes as many as 50 people are sleeping on cold cement classroom floors.

The evacuated villagers are living on rations of rice, instant noodles and canned sardines and meat. Local officials warn that money for their upkeep might soon run out if the crisis is prolonged.

There are also fears that the overcrowding in the evacuation centers could spawn an epidemic.

The 8,070-foot (2,460-meter) Mayon has shown increasing unrest since mid-July and on Monday, after a series of powerful explosions, government vulcanologists warned a dangerous eruption could take place within days.

The number of volcanic quakes detected in Mayon fell to only three on Wednesday from 109 on Monday and 21 on Tuesday. The amount of sulphur dioxide expelled also has been falling, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

However crimson streams of lava could still be seen trickling down Mayon's slopes at night and a huge column of steaming lava is still moving through a gulley in the Bonga district.

Soldiers have been assigned to patrol forests on the foothills to keep residents out of the danger zone. However some farmers and herdsmen still sneak into the area to check on their crops and to safeguard their homes.

The troops said they are seeing fewer farmers braving the danger zone now that the lava has moved lower.

"They are more afraid now," one soldier said.