Mt. Mayon, Philippines edit
Introduction: Have you ever wondered how the Philippines came to be what they are today? Well it’s because of volcanoes that are on or near the many islands that make up the Philippines. Mt. Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines. It has erupted over 42 times since the year 1616.
How it was Formed: Mt. Mayon was formed by periodically happening mini eruptions. The layers start to build up after a while and then it starts to get taller and wider. Soon the volcano became the size it is today. Still, with every eruption Mt. Mayon has, it is still growing. (POOF!!)
Type of Volcano: Mt. Mayon is a strato volcano or also known as composite cones or composite volcanoes. The structure of a strato volcano is many, many different layers from different eruptions. They form over a long period of time.
Where it is: The Mayon Volcano is in the southeastern Luzon which is in the Philippines or at 13.257N, 123.685E (latitude and longitude). It is 300 kilometers southeast of Manila (one of the Philippine’s major cities). It is also close to Legazpi City; whish is the capital of the Albay Province. The volcano rises 8,077.43 ft (2462 m) above sea level over a otherwise flat landscape.
Last Time it Erupted: The last time Mt. Mayon erupted was November 11,2009 The signs of eruption were showing much earlier though. Starting in July of 2006 and went on to August 11. The latest signs of the eruption were on August 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. August 7: The Philippine government evacuated 20,000 people living near the volcano, fearing that an eruption was close. They detected 21 low-frequency earthquakes since early that Sunday morning. Also six small explosions happened in 40 minutes. August 8: They moved 37,276 people to 31 state-run shelters because of the fear Mt. Mayon could have a bigger eruption soon. August 9: Vocanologists warned that the volcano could erupt at any time and that the moon’s gravitational pull could be the final push to the explosion. In some past Mt. Mayons’ eruptions had to do with the moon’s gravitational pull, including the eruptions for 2000 and 2001. Almost 40,000 people have been moved to an 8 kilometer (5 mile) danger zone on the southeast flank of Mt. Mayan. It has been quaking and spitting plumes of ash since July. August 10: Scientists in the Philippines reported a sudden period of quiet as “ominous”. Gas emissions and earthquakes dropped, sparking fears that the crater had plugged itself making it more dangerous. It increases the likeliness of an explosive eruption. August 11: Scientists said from ground surveys that the volcano was still “swollen” from July’s “quiet” eruption. Also they recorded a high number of volcanic earthquakes. They released large amounts of sulfur dioxide gas and continued to release lava down the side of the volcano for nearly four weeks after it had another “quiet” eruption.
Death Total: There were no deaths during these eruptions, although UNICEF estimated that 9,000 had to flee their homes during the high alert warnings. A volcano like this one could kill more than 1,200 and devastate a few towns if they’re close enough. This volcano did exactly that on 1814. That volcanic eruption was Mt. Mayon’s most violent that has been recorded.
Land Damage: There was no land damage in this eruption. A volcano of Mt. Mayon’s size and history could easily do thousands of dollars in damage. One example is in 1814 when an eruption covered the entire village of Cagsawa. It destroyed everything except the tower of the Cagsawa Church.
Other Interesting Facts: This volcano is the Philippines' most active volcano. Also Mt. Mayon is known to be one of the most beautiful sites in the world. It has steep upper slope ranging from 35-40 degrees. Mt. Mayon has erupted over 40 times since 1616, including:
2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1993, 1984, 1978, 1968, 1947, 1943, 1941, 1939, 1938, 1928, 1902?, 1897, 1896, 1895, 1893, 1891-92, 1890, 1888, 1886-87, 1885, 1881-82, 1876, 1873, 1872, 1871-72, 1868, 1863?, 1862, 1861, 1860, 1859, 1858, 1857, 1855, 1853, 1851, 1846, 1845, 1839, 1834-35, 1827-28, 1814, 1811?, 1800, 1766, 1616.
Conclusion: Mt. Mayons’ August eruptions were just showing a little of the destruction it could do in later years and has done before. This was one of the volcanoes’ smaller eruptions that it has had and has to come.