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| Mayon volcano 'may erupt in days' | Mayon volcano 'may erupt in days' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Scientists in the Philippines have raised the alert level for the volatile volcano Mount Mayon, amid fears of an imminent eruption. | Scientists in the Philippines have raised the alert level for the volatile volcano Mount Mayon, amid fears of an imminent eruption. |
| It is now at four out of a possible five, meaning a hazardous eruption "is possible within days". Level five is when a major eruption has begun. | It is now at four out of a possible five, meaning a hazardous eruption "is possible within days". Level five is when a major eruption has begun. |
| Scientists raised the level after the number of volcanic earthquakes more than doubled on Sunday. | Scientists raised the level after the number of volcanic earthquakes more than doubled on Sunday. |
| The cone-shaped volcano has already been emitting lava and ash for days. | The cone-shaped volcano has already been emitting lava and ash for days. |
| About 40,000 people who live near Mount Mayon have been moved to temporary shelters. | About 40,000 people who live near Mount Mayon have been moved to temporary shelters. |
| Forced moves | Forced moves |
| Scientists detected 453 volcanic earthquakes in a five-hour span on Sunday, compared to just over 200 Saturday, said Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. | Scientists detected 453 volcanic earthquakes in a five-hour span on Sunday, compared to just over 200 Saturday, said Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. |
| Powerful booms emanating from the volcano, audible up to 12 km (7.5 miles) away, and continued lava flows all contributed to the raised alert level. | Powerful booms emanating from the volcano, audible up to 12 km (7.5 miles) away, and continued lava flows all contributed to the raised alert level. |
| In pictures: Filipinos flee | |
| But despite the risks, local authorities estimate that roughly 1,300 families are still in their homes within the danger zone, unwilling to leave their farms and livestock. | But despite the risks, local authorities estimate that roughly 1,300 families are still in their homes within the danger zone, unwilling to leave their farms and livestock. |
| "We will personally remove the residents who refuse to evacuate to their designated evacuation centres," said Albay provincial Governor Joey Salceda. | "We will personally remove the residents who refuse to evacuate to their designated evacuation centres," said Albay provincial Governor Joey Salceda. |
| About 8,600 families, or 43,000 people, have already taken shelter in government centres beyond the zone. | About 8,600 families, or 43,000 people, have already taken shelter in government centres beyond the zone. |
| Officials said they were strengthening the army and police enforcement of an exclusion zone at least eight km (4.3 miles) around the volcano. | Officials said they were strengthening the army and police enforcement of an exclusion zone at least eight km (4.3 miles) around the volcano. |
| Past history | Past history |
| Philippine officials first raised the alert level for Mayon last Monday. | Philippine officials first raised the alert level for Mayon last Monday. |
| Mr Solidum said the pattern of volcanic activity was similar to Mayon's last eruption in 2006, when it expelled lava and steam for two months. | Mr Solidum said the pattern of volcanic activity was similar to Mayon's last eruption in 2006, when it expelled lava and steam for two months. |
| Mayon, 330km (206 miles) south-east of the capital Manila, has erupted 48 times since records began. | Mayon, 330km (206 miles) south-east of the capital Manila, has erupted 48 times since records began. |
| The most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1,200 people and devastated several towns. | The most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1,200 people and devastated several towns. |
| However the volcano remains a popular tourist attraction and is famous for its perfect cone. | However the volcano remains a popular tourist attraction and is famous for its perfect cone. |