Mount Mayon - Recent Volcanic Event (LIC) Flashcards
Key info
Location – Mount Myon – Philippines – Providence of Albay
Strata volcano 2018 January 13
Economic background and previous events – has had 45 eruption since first recorded one in 1616. 220 volcanoes, 21 active, mount Myon most active. Noon for steep slope symmetrical structure.
Province of Albay – agriculture (rice and veg) , Large sector, with tourism being a high two – eruption destroyed crops and infrastructure – damages economy – reduces tourism and farmers can sell crops – volcanic soil is very fertile though
Plate boundary - subduction zone Philippine oceanic plate and Eurasian plate – Mayon on Philippines plate which is subducted 
Type of eruption
A phreatic explosion, also known as a phreatic eruption or steam-driven eruption, occurs when water beneath the ground or within a volcanic edifice is heated by magma, causing it to flash into steam. This sudden release of steam generates an explosion that can fragment rock and eject ash, volcanic gases, and other materials into the atmosphere.
Primary hazards
Lava flows, paraplastic flows often reaching 1000°C, lahars, Ashville/Ash plume reached 2500 m above the summit scattering as in nearby communities – damaged crops and causes respiratory issues
Lava flows flow down the estimated 40 ravines on the mountain
Secondary hazards
Rockfalls – common during eruptions, especially when a lava collapses – collapse of lava dome resulted in rockfalls and pyroclastic flows to flow down multiple ravines
Lahars - heavy rainfall can trigger layers carrying sediment and debris
Impacts
No direct casualties due to evacuation
Estimated 3.5 million dollars of damage to agriculture
Short term impacts
Social - evacuations are necessary to ensure public safety – over 50,000 people
Economic - crop damage, infrastructure destruction, and loss of livelihoods due to evacuation
Environmental - damage to vegetation, soil and water sources due to Ashfall
and Lahars
Political - government agencies
Like PHIVOLCS - monitor and respond to volcanic activity
Long term impacts
Social - displacement of communities, psychological effects
Economic - long-term recovery efforts required for infrastructure repair
Environmental - ecological recovery and erosion measures
Political - continued allocation of resources for monitoring and preparedness
Short term response strategies
Local: evacuation issues ordered, with establishment of emergency shelters. Emergency response team deployed.
International: Humanitarian Aid: Various countries and international organizations provided humanitarian aid in the form of food, water, shelter, and medical supplies to affected populations.
Evacuation Assistance: International organizations such as the Red Cross and the United Nations provided support for the evacuation of people from high-risk areas to safer locations.
Technical Support: International experts and technical teams were deployed to assist local authorities in monitoring volcanic activity, assessing risks, and coordinating emergency response efforts.
Financial Assistance: International donors and organizations provided financial assistance to support emergency response and relief efforts, including funding for evacuation centers, medical facilities, and infrastructure repair.
Information Sharing: International agencies and organizations collaborated with local authorities to disseminate information and warnings to the public about volcanic hazards and evacuation procedures.
Long term management strategies
PHIVOLCS - Philippine institute of volcanology and seismology - conduct research on volcanic hazard assessment and forecasting - including seismic monitoring, gas measurements, tilt meters - however there is a lack of GIS based studies on Mayon volcanic products distribution
Working on a study which aims to inventory volcanic hazards in Myon – producing susceptibility maps for lava flows, pyroclastic flows and lahars using GIS and geological – geomorphological mapping
Brief overview
The 2018 eruption of Mount Mayon in the Philippines was a significant volcanic event characterized by a series of eruptions and associated hazards. Here’s a brief overview:
Events: The eruption began in January 2018 and continued for several weeks, with multiple episodes of increased volcanic activity. It involved the eruption of lava, ash clouds, and pyroclastic flows, which are fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic debris. The eruption was triggered by the movement of magma within the volcano’s conduit system.
Hazards:
Lava Flows: The eruption produced lava flows that threatened nearby communities, destroying homes, farmland, and infrastructure in their path.
Ashfall: Ash clouds generated by the eruption resulted in widespread ashfall, affecting surrounding areas and causing disruptions to transportation, agriculture, and daily life.
Pyroclastic Flows: The eruption generated pyroclastic flows, which are extremely hazardous and can travel at high speeds, engulfing everything in their path and causing significant damage.
Volcanic Gases: The eruption released volcanic gases such as sulfur dioxide, which can pose respiratory and health risks to people living near the volcano.
Overall, the 2018 eruption of Mount Mayon posed significant hazards to nearby communities and necessitated evacuation efforts, emergency response measures, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of affected populations.
Key figures
Homes Destroyed:
Approximately 15,000 homes were destroyed or damaged by the eruption’s lava flows, ashfall, and other associated hazards.
Evacuees:
Over 84,000 individuals were evacuated from their homes and relocated to evacuation centers or safer areas to escape the dangers posed by the eruption.
Affected Population:
The eruption affected around 300,000 people living in the vicinity of Mount Mayon, with many facing disruptions to their livelihoods, access to basic services, and daily activities.
Agricultural Damage:
The eruption caused extensive damage to agricultural lands and crops, impacting the livelihoods of local farmers and exacerbating food security concerns in the region.
