MAYON VOLCANO ERUPTING, WANNA GO SEE IT?
December 17th 2009 06:34
If you think it is crazy to rush to a place where there is an erupting volcano - at a time when government officials are evacuating the residents from that place - I’ll agree with you.
That was what I thought when, as a young boy, we couldn’t get a ride in a bus that goes to our town because every single seat has been taken by people who would like to go to Legaspi – to watch Mayon Volcano erupt!
In my young mind, people who go to places where everyone else was scampering out of are not just crazy – they are mad! They are mindless individuals who do not know what is good for them.
But then, I was thinking of the Mayon Volcano eruption in 1814 when it buried the town of Cagsawa where the only remaining proof of its existence is the bell tower of its church. ..
Then, I grew up.
Of course, you don’t go to where the lava flows and neither should you loiter in the areas where burning rocks and pyroclastic materials are falling like rain. In 1993, a sudden eruption caught some 77 farmers who were tending their farms at the foot of the volcano by surprise and they all perished
Thousands of casualties were recorded in the long history of Mayon Volcano eruptions, sometimes worsened by the subsequent arrival of other natural disasters like typhoons and floods. Yet, people kept on coming to enjoy the glowing sight of this mountain's volcanic eruption which becomes more magnificent at night, on a cloudless sky.
Just yesterday, a radio correspondent has reported that you can no longer find a place to stay in many of the towns surrounding the volcano. Most of the hotels are booked, especially in Legaspi City.
With the number of lives already claimed by this glorious mountain, I will not give any guarantees. But if you still want to go there without taking too much risk (of say, scalding your skin or turning yourself into ashes), the key to enjoying the wonderful sight is to chasten your curiosity and keep in a safe distance.
It might be a good idea to stay in one of the farthest towns that surround the volcano and remember that two (2) lava domes are now said to be forming at the top of this raging mountain.
The towns of Ligao and Polangui both in Albay are far enough to be out of harm’s way, though admittedly, the views there may not be as dramatic.
Still, how much drama do you want?
It‘s like playing the market, it would be a question of risks and rewards.
By the way, the closest airport here (Legaspi) is usually closed when there's an impending eruption. Naga airport will be next closest, otherwise, you take the bus from Manila.
That was what I thought when, as a young boy, we couldn’t get a ride in a bus that goes to our town because every single seat has been taken by people who would like to go to Legaspi – to watch Mayon Volcano erupt!
In my young mind, people who go to places where everyone else was scampering out of are not just crazy – they are mad! They are mindless individuals who do not know what is good for them.
But then, I was thinking of the Mayon Volcano eruption in 1814 when it buried the town of Cagsawa where the only remaining proof of its existence is the bell tower of its church. ..
Cagsawa Ruins pic source: Wikipedia
Then, I grew up.
Of course, you don’t go to where the lava flows and neither should you loiter in the areas where burning rocks and pyroclastic materials are falling like rain. In 1993, a sudden eruption caught some 77 farmers who were tending their farms at the foot of the volcano by surprise and they all perished
Thousands of casualties were recorded in the long history of Mayon Volcano eruptions, sometimes worsened by the subsequent arrival of other natural disasters like typhoons and floods. Yet, people kept on coming to enjoy the glowing sight of this mountain's volcanic eruption which becomes more magnificent at night, on a cloudless sky.
Just yesterday, a radio correspondent has reported that you can no longer find a place to stay in many of the towns surrounding the volcano. Most of the hotels are booked, especially in Legaspi City.
With the number of lives already claimed by this glorious mountain, I will not give any guarantees. But if you still want to go there without taking too much risk (of say, scalding your skin or turning yourself into ashes), the key to enjoying the wonderful sight is to chasten your curiosity and keep in a safe distance.
Mayon Volcano as viewed from the plaza of the town of Albay, Albay
It might be a good idea to stay in one of the farthest towns that surround the volcano and remember that two (2) lava domes are now said to be forming at the top of this raging mountain.
The towns of Ligao and Polangui both in Albay are far enough to be out of harm’s way, though admittedly, the views there may not be as dramatic.
Here's how it looks from Camalig, Albay. Ligao is a bit farther away
Still, how much drama do you want?
It‘s like playing the market, it would be a question of risks and rewards.
By the way, the closest airport here (Legaspi) is usually closed when there's an impending eruption. Naga airport will be next closest, otherwise, you take the bus from Manila.
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