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Volcano gearing up for eruption
29/08/2006 12:08 - (SA)
Jim Gomez
Manila - The restive Mayon volcano belched ash in a new series of overnight explosions, prompting officials on Tuesday to warn displaced villagers that it was still too dangerous to go home.
Mayon exploded ash at least seven times from Monday to early on Tuesday and continued to rumble with an abnormally high number of earthquakes - signs that it may be gearing up for a powerful eruption, government volcanologists said.
The 2 462-metre volcano, one of the Philippines' 22 active volcanoes, has been emitting lava and large amounts of sulphuric dioxide since last month then blasted ash six times within an hour on August 7, prompting experts to warn of an imminent explosive eruption.
Still dangerous
Authorities evacuated more than 40 000 people from villages within a declared danger zone in Albay province to temporary shelters, mostly school buildings. As the villagers spent their fourth week in overcrowded shelters, many longed to go home.
"It's still dangerous, the parameters are still up," volcanologist Elmer Gabinete said.
Defence secretary Avelino Cruz said alert level four of a five-step warning system, requiring the mandatory evacuation of villagers within a declared danger zone, will continue.
"Mayon sometimes takes a rest then spews lava again. It's hard to size up ... we have to be patient," Cruz told reporters. "We should tell the evacuees to remain in evacuation centres where they'll be safer."
Mayon has erupted at least 47 times in the last 400 years. Its most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1 200 people and buried a town in mud.
- AP
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