Nature is in Control: The Angry Mayon Volcano

The news has it. Mayon Volcano, dubbed to be the volcano with a perfect cone, beautiful, picturesque sight has "awakened" which brought about a lot of qualms on the residents.

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Mayon Volcano, located in Albay province 300 km southeast of Manila has been showing high levels of unrest since 13 January, when a phreatic eruption ejected ash and sulphur fumes accompanied by rumbling sounds. On 15 January, two eruptions caused the collapse of the lava dome that produced rock falls and small-volume pyroclastic flows.

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Just this morning, the news says that alert level was heightened to level 4 already. Giant column of ash rises into the air leaving nearby towns covered with it.

PHIVOLCS raises alert level 4 over Mayon Volcano

Level 4, or ‘hazardous eruption (is) imminent’ was raised because according to PHILVOLCS there is an intense unrest and persistent tremor, with many “low frequency”-type earthquakes. There is also an intense crater glow. Incandescent lava dome, lava fountain, lava flow in the summit area. Hazardous eruption is possible within days. With that said, the extension of danger zone to 8 km or more in the sector where the crater rim is low will be recommended.

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I have an aunt who lives in Libon, Albay, a few kilometers away from Mount Mayon. She says that although they are already used to Mayon’s activities, FYI being an active volcano, they never get used to the feeling of beng scared whenever this beautiful giant awakens. The grumbling sound they hear, terrifies them. The point when the sky darkens because of an impending rain or an ashfall, makes them panic.

People are scared. Even dogs are scared.

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I happen to see Mayon Volcano in its sleeping state. It was December of 2016 when we decided to have a road trip to Albay to visit my husband’s relatives living there, and well of course to visit Mayon. Looking back at the photobook I made from our roadtrip, my heart swells.

Picture is mine

Picture is mine

We travelled non-stop, only toilet breaks. We left Pangasinan at 3am and reached Atimonan, Quezon by 9am.

Picture is mine

We are still about 6 hours away to our destination.

Picture is mine

As soon as we reached the province of Albay, we cannot help but be on the lookout of THE world-acclaimed Mt. Mayon with its perfect cone. They say that Mayon is so grand that it can be seen in the nearby towns. My aunt makes us drool over her story that she and my uncle drink their morning coffee on the balcony of their house (three towns away from where Mt. Mayon is actually situated) with a view of the beautiful Mayon. What a morning to wake up to!

Picture is mine.

... and it is. Beautiful. Grand. Awesome.

Picture is mine.

Postcard-worthy picture, isn't it?

I say it is lovely in the pictures. But it is even lovelier to see it personally.

So, to hear how this volcano is acting lately, I feel a bit shaken. I do not know what is going to happen next. One minute I hear the news about magma flow, the next minute an ashfall, and the next minute volcanic fountaining.

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I heard an interview with a local volcanologist who said that with these activities of the volcano, they cannot do anything to prevent, much more stop it. They are just there to monitor the activities and give warning to the people about what to expect of it. We just have to wait and see.

Wait. And. See. What. Happens. Next.

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It is breathtaking. Awesome. Spectacular. Natural fountain on display.

In conclusion, it makes me think that people, no matter how intelligent we are, can do nothing when NATURE takes its course.

It goes to show that man is helpless. We have to recognize the existence of something more powerful than we are.

When fearful and petrifying things happen....
When we do not know what will happen next...
When anxiety is drawn into the faces of our loved ones....
When troubles beset us....

there is nothing much we can do about it but to close our eyes and PRAY.

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You can also check my other posts:

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