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Report on Mayon (Philippines) — 29 November-5 December 2006


Mayon

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 29 November-5 December 2006
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2006. Report on Mayon (Philippines) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 29 November-5 December 2006. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (29 November-5 December 2006)

Mayon

Philippines

13.257°N, 123.685°E; summit elev. 2462 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


A typhoon that struck the Philippines on 30 November mobilized material from the flanks of Mayon that resulted in significant lahars. Several villages around the flanks were buried by up to 1.5 m (5 ft) of debris. Depending on the news source, the death toll ranges from about 325 to 400 and about 300 to 400 people are still missing.

Geological Summary. Symmetrical Mayon, which rises above the Albay Gulf NW of Legazpi City, is the most active volcano of the Philippines. The steep upper slopes are capped by a small summit crater. Recorded eruptions since 1616 CE range from Strombolian to basaltic Plinian, with cyclical activity beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer periods of andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic density currents and mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that radiate from the summit and have often damaged populated lowland areas. A violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200 people and devastated several towns.

Sources: Associated Press, Associated Press