MANILA, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Volcanic activity at Mount Mayon in the central Philippine city of Legazpi has prompted an evacuation order affecting thousands of residents.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a bulletin on Monday warning that seismic activity at Mount Mayon indicates the active volcano may erupt "within weeks."
The seismology agency reported the crater of the mountain is visibly red, glowing from the molten lava and hot volanice gas below the surface. It has recorded 39 rockfalls and 32 low frequency earthquakes.
Because of the threat of imminent eruption, the agency raised the alert level from 2 to 3, and recommended evacuation in the immediate vicinity of the volcano.
"It is therefore recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank be enforced due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows."
The seismology agency reported the crater of the mountain is visibly red, glowing from the molten lava and hot volanice gas below the surface. It has recorded 39 rockfalls and 32 low frequency earthquakes.
On Tuesday, the Philippines News Agency reported that evacuation efforts were underway in an attempt to relocate more than 10,000 people from the danger zone.
