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20K Flee Filipino Volcano

Lava flows, plumes of ash sent into sky

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2009 10:30 AM CST
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(Newser) – The Philippines' most active volcano oozed lava and shot up plumes of ash today, forcing more than 20,000 people to evacuate their homes and face the possibility of a bleak Christmas in a shelter. State volcanologists raised the alert level on the cone-shaped, 8,070-foot Mayon volcano overnight to two steps below a major eruption after ash explosions. Dark orange lava fragments glowed in the dark as they trickled down the mountain slope overnight.

"It's already erupting," said the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Vehicles were provided to take the evacuating families to temporary shelter. "It's 10 days before Christmas. Most likely people will be in evacuation centers, and if Mayon's activity won't ease down we will not allow them to return to their homes," said one emergency management official said. "It's difficult and sad, especially for children."

Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, in the Philippines at dawn Tuesday.
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, in the Philippines at dawn Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Residents living around the slopes of Mayon volcano evacuate Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009 after the five-level alert was raised to three following increased activity of the country's most active volcano.
Residents living around the slopes of Mayon volcano evacuate Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009 after the five-level alert was raised to three following increased activity of the country's most active volcano.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Residents living around the slopes of Mayon volcano evacuate Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009 after the five-level alert was raised to three following increased activity of the country's most active volcano.
Residents living around the slopes of Mayon volcano evacuate Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009 after the five-level alert was raised to three following increased activity of the country's most active volcano.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, at dawn Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009.
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, at dawn Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, Monday Dec. 14, 2009.
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, Monday Dec. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009, about 310 miles south of Manila, Philippines.
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009, about 310 miles south of Manila, Philippines.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, at dawn Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009.
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, at dawn Tuesday Dec. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
Residents are evacuated to safer grounds after Mayon volcano, which killed scores in an eruption 16 years ago, spewed ash twice, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Legazpi, Albay province, Philippines.
Residents are evacuated to safer grounds after Mayon volcano, which killed scores in an eruption 16 years ago, spewed ash twice, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, in Legazpi, Albay province, Philippines.   (AP Photo/Elmer Bandol)
The Mayon volcano, seen through the window of a plane, spews white ash on Thursday June 28, 2007, in Albay province in southeastern Philippines.
The Mayon volcano, seen through the window of a plane, spews white ash on Thursday June 28, 2007, in Albay province in southeastern Philippines.   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
In this July 20, 2006 file photo, a phreatic explosion occurs along the lower slopes as lava cascades down the 8,077-foot Mayon volcano.
In this July 20, 2006 file photo, a phreatic explosion occurs along the lower slopes as lava cascades down the 8,077-foot Mayon volcano.   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, FILE)
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, Monday Dec. 14, 2009.
Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in Legazpi city, Albay province, Monday Dec. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nelson Salting)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Jes
Dec 16, 2009 11:18 AM CST
It runs from about the mid-eastern border over to the southwest area of the state. It's been inactive since one big hiccup that messed with the Mississippi, but some people posit that it is behind the "Spook Light" in Hornet, MO.
Jes
Dec 15, 2009 9:30 AM CST
Not here in Missouri. =p
WiteOut
Dec 15, 2009 7:13 AM CST
Can we get a carbon count on this? I would love to see how it stacks up to human emissions... What are we going to do when Yellowstone goes?

 
Philippines • natural disaster • volcano • eruption

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