Philippines: School closures Jan. 16 amid fears of Mayon eruption /update 3

Event

The Mayon volcano (Albay province), the Philippines’ most active, spewed lava and emitted ash on Tuesday, January 16, prompting authorities to shut several nearby schools. The lava reached the edge of the 6-km (3.7-mi) radius exclusion zone.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert level for the Mayon volcano to 3 (on a five-tier scale) on January 14.

Philippine authorities have encouraged individuals to evacuate areas within the exclusion zone - and within a 7-km (4.4-mi) radius of the crater on the southern flank of the volcano - due to the risks of rockfalls, landslides, and lava flows. Nearly 15,000 people have already fled the area.

Civil aviation authorities have been advised to avoid flying near the volcano crater due to the risk of sudden eruption. According to PHIVOLCS, a hazardous eruption is possible in the coming days and weeks; significant transportation disruptions are expected if such an eruption occurs. Due to prevailing wind patterns, ash is expected to fall on the southwestern side of the volcano in the event of additional ash eruptions.

Context

The Mayon volcano began its current eruptive cycle on January 13, belching ash into the air and onto nearby villages. The volcano last erupted in 2014, which prompted thousands of people to evacuate adjacent areas.

Advice

Individuals present in or intending to travel to the affected area are advised to monitor the situation and follow any instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders). In the event of an eruption, it is advisable to wear respiratory masks and to wear covering clothing to protect skin from abrasive ash.