A massive volcanic eruption took place in the Philippines' most active volcano, Mount Mayon, spewing lava and sending a huge amount of ash and smoke into the sky, late on Monday.
Mount Mayon, located 2,462 mts above the sea level, in Albay Province, is also one of the tallest mountains in the country. It had been spewing lava sporadically since it became active on January 13.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday raised its alert to Level 4, meaning that a hazardous volcanic eruption is imminent, the CNN reported.
For a brief time, it was Level 3, which meant that such an eruption could be "weeks or even days" away. But seeing the nature of the eruption, the level was raised.
Around 40,000 residents have been evacuated to safer areas. A level 5 alert signifies that a hazardous volcanic eruption is underway.
The Phivolcs issued a warning statement, "We strongly advise all people, both residents and tourists, to avoid the danger zone, and airlines to avoid flying near the volcano summit. The danger zone around the volcano has been expanded to a radius of around 8 km."
All schools in Albay Province has been closed following the massive volcanic eruption.
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