Read previous coverage of The Mayon volcano eruption: July 02, 2001 | August 07, 2001
08/07/01 - The Mayon volcano eruption that has displaced some more than 25,000 residents is finally calming down.
Chicago search engine optimization firm The threat of another major eruption from the Philippines' Mayon volcano has receded as volcanic activity dropped in recent days, scientists from The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The institute may reduce alert levels around Mayon, allowing some of the tens of thousands of evacuees to return to villages inside a danger zone within about 41/2 miles of the volcano.
"The overall condition of Mayon indicates that the possibility of a sudden major explosive eruption has decreased greatly," the institute said in a statement.
The institute said Mayon belched about 2,000 tons of sulfur dioxide in the 24 hours ending at 8 a.m. Monday, about half the daily rate recorded in recent weeks.
Even if the volcano does not erupt, however, villagers and farmers are not entirely free of danger. Experts warned of possible mudslides as ongoing seasonal rains drench ash deposits on the mountainside.
Scientists said they may soon reduce alerts around Mayon from the current level five alert, the highest possible, to level four. Level five indicates an ongoing eruption while four means an eruption is possible in days.
Most residents had just returned home from a lengthy evacuation following a June 24 eruption when the volcano blew again unexpectedly on July 26, heaving up ash clouds 6 miles high and jetting lava 200 feet into the air.
Famed for its near-perfect cone, Mayon, 200 miles southeast of Manila, is the most destructive of the country's 22 active volcanoes. At least 49 eruptions have been recorded since 1616.
The 8,118-foot volcano has rumbled nearly all this year, erupting several times in late June and three times on July 27.
Source:
Philippines Volcano Threat Recedes - AP (Aug 7, 2001)
Katipunan-USA will be aiding victims of the Mayon Volcano erruption by contributing to the Catholic Relief Services Philippines Volcano Eruption project. If you would like to help, please mail your check to Katipunan-USA or Catholic Relief Services/Philippines indicating Mayon Volcano project.
Katipunan-USA
P.O. Box 8701
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714-839-2615
Catholic Relief Services/Philippines
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
http://www.catholicrelief.org/where/philip/index.cfm
1-800-736-3467
