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Philippines’ most picturesque volcano erupts

Famous for its majestic shape, Mt Mayon’s fresh lava prompts evacuations and schools to be closed.

Horses roam a field as Mount Mayon erupts early morning in Camalig, Albay province, Philippines, January 23, 2018. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the volcano''
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the volcano's alert level to 4 out of 5 possible tiers after an eruption on Monday, January 22 spewed a huge column of ash five kilometres high. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
By Ezra Acayan
Published On 25 Jan 2018

Albay province, Philippines – Mt Mayon – famous for its majestic, near-perfect cone shape – is among the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, having erupted at least 50 times in the last 500 years.

In 1841, a blast buried an entire town and killed at least 1,200 people.

The volcano has been spewing fresh lava and ash for almost two weeks.

More than 74,000 people have been evacuated to emergency shelters as authorities warn of a potentially hazardous eruption that could take place in just days.

The alert remains just one notch below the highest level, which is 5, after five more episodes of “intense but sporadic lava fountaining” from the summit crater over a 19-hour period from Tuesday morning, state volcanologists said.

Schools were shut in 17 cities and municipalities in Albay and nearby Camarines Sur province, which was also affected by ashfall. Some 56 flights were cancelled.

Lava fountains 500-600 metres high lasted from seven minutes to more than an hour and generated ash plumes 3-5km above the crater, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

A woman covers the face of a child as Mount Mayon spews a huge column of ash noon in Camalig, Albay province, Philippines, January 24, 2018. Since Monday, January 22, the volcano has erupted in regula
A woman covers her child's face as Mount Mayon spews a huge column of ash. Since January 22, the volcano has erupted at regular intervals, an indication of continued volcanic activity according to authorities. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
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A woman fixes her face mask amidst heavy ashfall from Mount Mayon''s eruption in Guinobatan, Albay province, Philippines, January 23, 2018. Residents were reminded to exercise causion has heavy ashfall
Residents were reminded to exercise caution as heavy ashfall from Mount Mayon has resulted in poor visibility and health hazards in areas surrounding the volcano. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Children cross a road covered in thick ash inside the nine kilometer extended danger zone around Mount Mayon in Guinobatan, Albay province, Philippines, January 23, 2018.
Children cross a road covered in thick ash inside the nine-kilometre extended danger zone around Mount Mayon. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Soldiers ride a military truck on their way to rescue residents inside the extended danger zone around Mount Mayon in Guinobatan, Albay province, Philippines, January 23, 2018. Police and military per
Police and military personnel have been deployed in areas surrounding the volcano to strictly enforce the nine-kilometre extended danger zone. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Residents flock to board a military truck as they flee the nine kilometer extended danger zone around Mount Mayon in Guinobatan, Albay province, Philippines, January 23, 2018.
Residents board a military truck as they flee the extended danger zone. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
A woman uses an umbrella to shield herself from ashfall as Mount Mayon erupts in Guinobatan, Albay province, Philippines, January 23, 2018.
More than 74,000 people have been evacuated to emergency shelters. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
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Residents wear face masks amidst heavy ashfall at an evacuation center in Camalig, Albay province, Philippines, January 24, 2018. The entire province of Albay which houses Mayon has been placed under
The entire province of Albay has been placed under a state of calamity, authorising the release of more than 90 million pesos ($1.8 million) in calamity funds, according to the Albay Public Safety Emergency Management Office. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
A jeepney crosses a bridge as Mount Mayon makes a mild eruption in Daraga, Albay province, Philippines, January 25, 2018.
Some 56 flights were cancelled because of the eruption. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Houses and trees are seen covered in thick ash following volcanic eruptions from Mount Mayon in Guinobatan, Albay province, Philippines, January 24, 2018. Volcanic ash covered most of the western area
Volcanic ash covered most of the western areas of the volcano, destroying crops and affecting livelihoods, according to residents. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Residents go about daily life as Mount Mayon makes a mild eruption as seen from Daraga, Albay province, Philippines, January 25, 2018.
Some residents say the eruption that took place on January 24 reminded them of the powerful eruption back in 1993 which killed 75 people. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Children play at an evacuation center in Guinobatan, Albay province, Philippines, January 25, 2018.
Schools were shut in 17 cities and municipalities in Albay and nearby Camarines Sur province. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Mount Mayon makes a mild eruption as seen from Daraga, Albay province, Philippines, January 25, 2018.
Locals are used to life near the volcano, but many admit the recent powerful eruptions made them feel uneasy. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]
Lava flows down the slope of Mount Mayon as seen from Legazpi, Albay province, Philippines, on the evening of January 23, 2018. The Philippines, which currently has 23 active volcanoes, sits in the Pa
The Philippines, which currently has 23 active volcanoes, sits in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for its intense seismic activity which extends from the west coast of the American continent to New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia. [Ezra Acayan/Al Jazeera]