Week 4 - Volcanoes

Symmetrical structure of the Mayon Volcano from southeast of Luzon, Philippines.

This week, we tried touring one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, the Mayon Volcano. It rises at about 2,462 m. above the Albay Gulf located in Luzon, Philippines. The Mayon Volcano is known as a stratovolcano, as its symmetrical structure is due to its central conduit of eruptions. Its historical predominant and frequent eruptions date back as far as 1616, ranging from strombolian (eruption of jetting clots of rocks) to basaltic plinian (large, tall, and steady eruptions at high velocity). Its lava flow is considered pyroclastic, fountain-like, long, and dangerous as it commonly causes devastation to populated lowland areas. In 1814, the eruptions of the Mayon Volcano caused devastation to towns and fatalities of over 1,200 residents. In 1993, an unexpected 30 minute eruption and pyroclastic lava caused 68 fatalities and evacuation of about 60,000 residents. In 2018, the Mayon Volcano released an intensive stream of a strombolian eruption and smoky and ashy clouds. Its lava traveled about two miles and 7 minutes to an hour down causing an evacuation of 30,000 residents. Based on researches from volcanologist and postdoctoral researchers of the Philippines, the status of the Mayon Volcano is at a level 3 out of 5, meaning that it is at high unrest. Taking this into consideration, we remained in areas of the Luzon Island that had impressive views of the Mayon Volcano. 

Devastation of a lowland area caused by Mayon volcanic eruption in 1814.

Mayon Volcano eruption of lava in 2018.

Most recent satellite thermal activity view of the Mayon Volcano.

References:

-Oregon State University. Article: Volcano World; Mayon. Link: http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/mayon

-Wei-Haas, Maya (2018). Article: Geology Makes the Mayon Volcano Visually Spectacular and Dangerously Explosive; What’s going on inside one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes?. Link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-geology-makes-mayon-volcano-beautiful-and-dangerous-180967897/