Most perfectly formed volcano in the world

Mount Mayon is called as the most perfectly formed volcano due to its symmetry. It is the most active volcano among the 22 volcanoes in Philippines which was erupted over 47 times within past 400 years. Mount Mayon is situated in province of Albay in Bicol Region, on the large island of Luzon in the Philippines which rises above the Albay gulf to a height of 2462 m. It is recorded that since 1616 Mount Mayon exploded with pyroclastic flows, mud flow sand lava flows. That perfect shape was formed through layers of lava and pyroclastic flows. So it is called as a stratovolcano which means a volcano built up of alternate layers of lava and ash. It consists of small crater and its upper slopes are steep with an average of 35-40 degrees. The volcanic crater is about 250 m in diameter. About 85 lava flows have been identified and it includes mainly augite-hypersthene-andesite. In the fact that Mount Mayon is also belongs to Pacific Ring Of Fire, movement of oceanic plates can trigger an eruption anytime.

Mount Mayon from distant

Mount Mayon Eruption

The first eruption happened in 1616. Most lethal event happened in 1^st of February 1814. 1,200 people were died; town of Cagsawa got buried beneath 30 feet of ash. It destroyed Cagsawa church which was 10 Km away from volcano. This eruption lasted only for one day but Mayon emitted large amount of material during short period of time. In 23^rd June 1897 Mayon eruption took place which was lasted for 7 days. This was the longest eruption and it destroyed trees, rivers and streams. In December 2006, more than 1000 people were died due to rains from powerful typhoon Durian caused mudslides and flood at the foot of the volcano. 

Mayon’s last eruption happened in  18^th September 2014 but it recorded  higher levels of volcanic activity in January 2018.In 1^st of April 2020 Mayon Volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded one volcanic earthquake during 24 hour observation period.

It is reported that P185 million in crops have been destroyed in Albay due to Mayon volcano’s eruption and it affected about 9,791 farmers and around 7,131 hectares of land. But it still attract many tourists because of its perfectly formed cone shape.