Philippines Mayon volcano alert raised

The alert level around Mayon volcano in the Philippines was raised from level three to level four last week, meaning an explosive eruption could take place in days, government volcanologists said.

The raised was due to a sudden acceleration in the activity of the volcano. The number of volcanic quakes from 6.00 am last Sunday increased to 463 and that the volcano was belching more sulphur dioxide into the air. This was a sign that 'a hazardous eruption is possible within days. However volcanologists could not give an exact date of when the eruption could take place, but estimated an eruption could occur within two weeks.

The government has already evacuated more than 8,600 of the 9,000 or so families living within an 8km danger zone set up around Mayon.