Closer monitoring after rocks fall from Mayon MANILA, Philippines - "Scientists are continuously monitoring Mayon Volcano as it shows increased activity, with a rock fall event recorded within the past 24 hours. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday, June 2, also reported "moderate emission of white steam plumes" from the volcano, and a "faint crater glow" Saturday evening, June 1. The volcano's sulfur emissions Saturday, meanwhile, was measured at an average of 131 tons/day. A "slight inflation" of the volcano compared to its ground levels from February 2012 was also recorded, the institute said. Mayon remains at Alert Level 1, which was raised Friday, May 31, which means the volcano is at an "abnormal" condition. "Although this means that presently no magmatic eruption is imminent, it is strongly advised that the public refrain from entering the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ)," the institute said. "Active stream/river channels and those identified as perennially lahar-prone areas on all sectors of the volcano should also be avoided especially during extreme weather conditions when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall," the institute added. Mayon, one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes, spewed a giant ash cloud and hail of rocks on May 7, killing 4 foreign climbers and their Filipino guide. While the volcano does not show signs of an imminent eruption, it could experience another ash explosion or even volcanic quakes that could endanger climbers. "Even if there is no explosion, there may be rockfalls, rockslides from the quakes," volcanologist Ed Laguerta said Saturday. Since the deaths last month, the local government has imposed climbing restrictions, but these rules are difficult to enforce, said Laguerta. The 2,460-meter (8,070-foot) Mayon is famed for its near-perfect cone but has a long history of deadly eruptions. - KD Suarez, with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com" http://www.rappler.com/nation/30441-closer-monitoring-after-rocks-fall-from-mayon
"Meantime, on June 1, 2013 strong and shallow M 5.6 (USGS) hit Mindanao Island of Philippines. The epicenter was located 14 km NE of President Roxas at depth of 18km. PHIVOLCS registered M 5.7 only 5km deep." "GMA News reports that the quake caused a landslide in Barangay Kimadsil in the town of Carmen. A house in the same barangay also sustained unspecified damage. Cracks developed in the bridge that connects Kimadsil to the neighboring village, prompting residents to keep trucks and other heavy vehicles from using it." "The Philippine archipelago is located in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common. The Philippines sits on a unique tectonic setting ideal to volcano formation. The archipelago is surrounded by subducting plates as manifested by the trenches that are related to volcano formation. Philippines have 23 active volcanoes." http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/20...landslides-and-new-activity-at-mayon-volcano/
The legend of the volcano: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daragang_Magayon I was told years ago that the name means "beautiful lady" but I could not see why so I looked it up. (I suspect that the volcano was named in order to propitiate it and the legend came along later)
