Mayon Volcano

Mayon is an active volcano, the most active volcano in the Philippines. It is known to have erupted 50 times in the last 400 years. It has destroyed one city and taken many lives. But it's also the country's brightest landmark.

Mayon Volcano is famous for its beauty. Its shape is one of the most perfect in the world, it's almost a perfect cone. Locals call this volcano the Beautiful Lady.

The upper slopes of the volcano tend upwards at an angle of 35-40 degrees and their aspiration culminates in a crater, the sides of which are covered with layers of lava, the consequences of frequent eruptions.

Like other volcanoes along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, Mayon is a member of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The first of the known 50 eruptions was recorded in 1616. The 48th was in July 2006. It was a rampage of the elements. The eruption was accompanied by mudslides caused by rains brought by a typhoon. The 49th eruption took place in August 2008. And the 50th, the anniversary one, was in December 2009.

The most devastating and catastrophic eruption of the volcano in 1814. Mayon was buried the town of Sagzawa. All that was left of it was the bell tower, visible from beneath a new layer of surface. The forests around it were scorched and the riverbeds were altered. At least 2,200 people died in that catastrophe. It is the deadliest eruption in the history of Mayon.

And the longest series of eruptions took place in 1897. For 7 days in a row, the volcano poured rains of fire on the surrounding area and covered it with burning rocks. 400 people died. One of the villages was flooded with a 15-meter layer of lava.

Nevertheless, according to eyewitness accounts, the Mayon eruption is a mesmerizing sight, especially at night. When thousands of glowing streams run down the Mayon, gradually changing their colors and illuminating all the surrounding mountains...