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Source: Reuters -
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The Philippines ordered the evacuation of thousands of people
living near the most active volcano in the country, warning of a
possible eruption within a week.
Mayon volcano, known for its near-perfect cone shape in the central
Philippines, has been spewing lava and ashes that reached a height
of about 100 metres, chief vulcanologist Renato Solidum said.
"The volcano is showing increased activity and we deem it necessary
to raise the alert," Solidum told Reuters, saying incandescent
material had been rapidly moving up to the crater and streaking
down Mayon's south-eastern slope.
Joey Salceda, governor of the coconut-growing Albay province where
Mayon is located, said he had ordered the evacuation of about
20,000-30,000 people living within the 6-8 km danger zone around
the volcano.
"We'll start evacuating the people to safer areas tomorrow
(Tuesday)," Salceda told reporters, requesting assistance from
soldiers and police to move people from no-go zones to temporary
shelter areas.
The Philippines lies on the Ring of Fire, a belt of volcanoes
circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.
Mayon is the most active of 22 volcanoes in the country, having
erupted more than 50 times in the last four centuries.
The most destructive eruption came in February 1841 when lava
flows buried a town and killed 1,200 people.
The last time Mayon erupted was in 2006.
