Thousands evacuated as Mayon volcano threatens Philippines villages

[n2doc]

One of the world’s most perfectly formed volcanoes oozed lava and ash overnight yesterday, threatening to explode over a picturesque tourist town in the Philippines.

Many of the 50,000 villagers living within the 6-8km (4-5 mile) danger zone around Mount Mayon, around 500 km south of Manila, the capital, were evacuated earlier yesterday. The glowing volcano loomed large over the town of Legazpi, in the Albay province, spewing lava and ash that reached a height of about 100 metres (330 feet).

Renato Solidum, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said that magma has been rising at the volcano over the past two weeks and an explosion could be imminent.

“Now lava is trickling down but if the ascent of magma is sustained there will be laval flows,” Mr Solidum said. “There is also the possibility of an explosion.”



more:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6956999.ece

looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings...

[comtec]

1. That is a strangely beautiful picture

But it's a pity that volcano monitoring doesn't work.. hey wait... you mean they got out BEFORE it started spewing?

[PavePusher]

2. It's the Global Warming(tm)....!! n/t