MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Mount Mayon volcano in the Philippines is nearing eruption, prompting authorities to cordon off areas to keep people away from lava flows and debris.
The cordoned off area extends nearly 4 miles from the volcano, except for an area near the crater's low point, where police and troops set up roadblocks about 5 miles distant.
Lava flows were just 437 yards from checkpoints in some areas Thursday evening, Manila newspapers reported Friday.
Mount Mayon is located southeast of Manila, near Legazpi City.
Volcanologists said more than 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide had been emitted by Mount Mayon since early July, while an estimated 22 million yards of lava has flowed from its cone.
There have been no reports of ash affecting air traffic.
According to The Airline Pilots Association, volcanic ash, which can drift hundreds of miles, poses a real danger to aircraft. A number of airliners have suffered engine failures because of ash drifting 150-600 miles from an eruption site.
Authorities Thursday were reporting difficulty in getting local residents to evacuate the area around Mount Mayon despite the danger.
