ERUPTIVE HISTORY OF MAYON VOLCANO.

PHILIPPINES '
SIISDI1 C Ramos-Villarta. Emesto G. eorplIL alld
Christopher G.
ABSTRACT
Mayon Vokann is an ai.:tive andesitic volcano in the eastern (Bieol)
volcanic chai n. and has erupl ed 44 limes over approxim:llt1y 400 yurs nf
recorllell histuty. Of these enJptions more than half CJuseli JoS! of life lIT
serious lIamage 10 rropt'rly. In addilion. lahars unrelaled 10 volcanic aClivity
havt occurred at leut 7 limes.
The volcano i.:unsisu uf basaltic 10 andesitic lava nows. pyroclastic
now and debris now deposits. and tephra fall deposits. Except for the 1814
Plinian erupt ion. all other eruptions have been Vulcanian or Strom
bolian. Two common eruptive sequences are recognized : some eruptions
begin with milll e.o:plosions and light tephra fall. intensify \0 include pyro-
cl astic nows. anll end wilh lava c.o:\fusion (e.g. the 1969 eruption). whereas
other eruptions begin with quiet emission of lava and end with explosive
ejection ofpyroclaslic materials (e.g . the 1984 eruption).
The volcano's nearperfect symmetry implies that most ofitstruptions
have be<!n from a central vent. thu pyroclastic ejecta are distribuled more or
less uniformly around all sec tors of the volcano. and Ihal no recent eruptions
have been large enough 10 destroy Ihal symmetry.
INTRODUCTION
Mayon Volcano ( 13] 5.4'N. 12341.1' E) is an active andesitic.
volcano located in the province of Albay in southeastern Luzon
(Fig. I). It rises 2462 m above sea level and covers an area (' r 250
sq. km. Its base .circumrerence is 63 km. encompassing the towns
or $to. Domin!;o. Malilipot and Camalig. 'n,ese and outlying towns
have a combined population of more than 800.000 (1980 census).
The volcano's pre-1984 crater was funnel-shaped, 150 In
across and 15-30 m deep, and noored with rubble, altered rocks.
and volcanic sublimates. Numerous fumaroles within and just
outside the crater continUOUSly emit a gas plume. Slopes from the
summit down to 730 m above sea leveiaverage 28 degrees, and arc
2
3
'"
,
" )
,
,-
"
,
COlOUMUT_N
SCALE
LUZON IS
. _ L...... _
,,.
'"
Fig. t Local ion mllJl of Mllyon major ('lIleTS, and eXI('nl of
in the wut hea.<tern lUlon >>ie-01 VolrnnicCh3in. Solid trillng1es
_. volcanO('.. wi th know .. '("ent lle- ti vit y; <lJX'1I - "o!c-ank cen
I(' rs withoul known hi.<tork
covered with explosion debris, talus, lava agglutinate, Java flows,
and pyroclastic flow and tephra fall deposits. From 730 m down
to 200 m above sea level , slopes averaging 9 degrees arc cove red
with tephra fall deposits. coarse pyroclastic flow and debris
now deposits, and Java flows. Below 200 m, laharic and teph ra
fall deposits are more abundant than pyroclastic now deposits,
and lava flows arc rare,
This paper presents a general description of the pre 1984
of Mayon, accounts of Mayon' s historical eruptions.
and thus prospects for future eruptions.
PREVIOUS WORK.
Most previous studies of Mayon have been accounts of
historica l eruptions. These include descriptions of specific erup-
t ions, by Abella, 1883,1885; Aragoneses, 1814; Becker. 1905:
Beirn. 1978; Coronas, 1898; Faust ino. 1929, 1930; Howe. 1900:
Martinez, 1859; Mala, 1814; M.P., 1897;Pena, 1978;Selga, 1929,
1931, 1937, and undated manuscripts. Compilations of eruptions
are by Abella, 1883, 1885; Alcaraz. 1947, 1968; Becker, 1901; the
Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL), 1975, 1981; Coronas,
1898; Espinas, 1978; Faustino, 1929; Neumann van Padang,
1953; Newhall, 1977; and Saderra Maso, 1905, 1925. The general
geology of Mayon has been described by Abella. 1883, 1885:
the COMVOL, 1975. 1981; Faustino. 1929; and Newhall , \977.
REGIONAL GEOLOGIC SETTING
Mayon Volcano is part of the northwest t rending eastern Bicol
volcanic chain which probably results from subduction associa ted
with the Philippine Trench.
The Bicol Peninsula(southeastern Luzon) is located between
the Philippine Deep on the east and the graben of the Phil ippine
Fault Zone on the west. The peninsula consists large ly of Upper
Tertiary and sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Mayon
Volcano, nine other major stratovolcanoes, and several smaller
volcani c cones form the eastern volcanic chain (Datuin . 1982).
associated with west -dipping subduction along t he Philippine
Trench.
4
THEGEOLOGIC RECORD OFPREHISTORICERUPTIVE
ACTIVITY
Maytlll Volr.:"no nlnsists of1I o f hasal tic 10;IIHlcsi-
ti c lava nows, and pyroclast ic now, lahar. airfall teph ra. ami!:llm;
deposi ts. Various types of occuron different partso f tIll'
cone ta h... predorninalr" on the Sleep uppe r slopes. and lava
now"" uominalr the mi ddl e slopes Pyroclastic now (kposils
occur from ahout 1000 III cil' vallon dowtlw;ml, ;uc a major com-
I>onenl o f a pyrodaslrc apron from III eleYati on,and in
al least one Illslancc nC;H 510 Domingo. extend to thesea. Lah;JT
at thl' I(HH'SI rC;'I1.:hinp. down (0 ;J1lI1
po.... 'hly bi'hm "<'<I k\;c!
By analogy \\'l1h I11Q(\lIl.::rl crup\lorls. (he lava nows formed
dUring Strombolian crupI10m. or by lava extruSIOn just
before or jmt after Vuicanian Airfal l tephra repre-
selll St rombolia n and Vukanian erupt IOns. pyroclastic flow
dq)osit s represent Vulcal1lan and re-
wo rki ng o f unconsolidated {]eposits, usually by heavy rains. Only
two relatively sm;lll Pl inian fall and SlIT!!e deposit s are found in
thegeologi Crecord. ofwhi ch the laller formed 111 1814,
Airfall ash is distrihuted ove r all sectors of the volcano, 111
lohate-shaped ('iongate III Ihe direction of winds at the
lime of each eruption. In accord with prevailing winds, more
tephra has blown 10 Ihe west and SQllt hwe'st t han in other (li rec'
lions. but a suhsl ant ia l teph ra blankl't also lies northeast ofthe
volcano. accompanying or following erupt ions wash away
layers, from sterrslopes. and ot her thin ash
layers are mixed 11110 SOi l hy slll ali anllna l5. Thus the gcoloj;H:
record o f tephra fall is incomplete, the younger pa rt o f this
incomplete record is best preserved on l!-entle slopes near the vol-
cano. where deposits arc re latively thick and coarse, a moreCOIll-
ple te but deeply weathered set oftephra layersmay he found near
WNW ofthe vokann
Most oftheoldest depositsOl'l'lI r III thc northern and wl'stern
quadrants of Mayon. whereas recent t'Tuptions have increasingly
affl'eted Ihe SOUThe rn. and caSTern sectors The
volcano' s ncar-pe rfect symllll'try Illiplil'S That ofIts
have hel'n fr OIll :I cCll tr:1 1ve llT, that pyroda"tK eJccta (cspel'mlly
arc more nr uiliformly afound
:Ill of Ihl' V(1il':1II0. and Ihal 11(1 rCl'cllt eruptions have hel'n
large enough to The COlll' (Fig
s
Fig.2 The high symmetry ofMayon isdue most ly to Thepersistence or cen
tral enlptiuns that have not large to the
cone. View looking north,northeast. Photograph by R.S. Punong'
hayan
AGE ESTI MATE
The precise age ofMaya n is un known, as noneofitsea rliest
deposits have heen identified and dated, Most of these deposits
are presumably buried benea t h the present edifice. West ofMayon
ncar Nasisi. Ligao, and in barriosofOa5,sect ionsofMayan tephra
lie on pre-Mayon bedrock, but it is not known whether
removed any tephras before the present ones were deposited.
Even if the lowest ofthese tephras could be assu med to be fr om
one o f the first eruptions of Mayo n, these deposits are det"ply
weatheredand have not yieldedanydatable material.
The oldest exposed deposi ts of Ma yan arc about 5000years
old (S050 250 years. sample W 56 10 : Meyer, 1985). An age
of the cone a whole can be est imated by a crude backward
extrapolation of the recen t rate of growt h of the cone. Since
The COile grown at an average rate of 4 x 10
6

(hased 011 Tahlc I), At this rate the volume of t he present cone
(I x 10
1
I m
J
) could have accumulated in 25,000 yea rs. St"-
l'ausl' somc material has undoubtedly been washed off the cone,
Mayon IS proh:lbly older than 25.000 years, but
YOUIl!! cOll1parl'd 10 1Il0ST other volcanoes. Uncertainty in
('stllnatc of age is high (perhaps ! 10.000 years ), but
icss Thall 111 a previolls estimate by one of liS (Newhall. 1977)
that theconc IS ahout 70.000 yearsold.
6
7
Volu me of Ejrcta
3
Year of Eruption
10
6
m
1938
I Q28
3S II 10
6
m
3
1947
2S x 10
6
m
3
1968
35 II 10
6
m
3
1978
20 JC 10
6
m
3
70, 10
6
m
3
(MagaJiI & Ruelo,198S)
1984
Tabl" \ : Volume or malerials added 10 thr cont ofMlyon Yoklno
On the other hand. Punongbayan fl985) proposes another
approac h to estimate the minim um maximum and ma ximum ages
o f a given volcanic edifice. Thi s based primaril y on the :lssump-
lion th at only Ihe major eruptio ns of a volcano contribute sign i-
ncantly to the huilding of li S l'OllC. Thc required criti cal data arc
the tOlal volume of ejecta as represented by the volcano edince.
volume of ('jec ta per major erupl ion, and repose period be tween
major eruptiom Applying this for Mayon Volcano an estimated
age of 52.000 ycars for maximum .. ge and 14.000 years fat ils
minimum maxlInum age were obtaul('d. Based on his proposed
technique for eSl irnal1ng the age of acl lve volcanoes. he came out
wi th 24.000 yea rs as Ihe probable age of Mayan Volcano.
PETROLOGIC VARIATION IN PREVIOUS ERUPTIONS OF
MAYON
PrOllucls of Mayon's have been remarkably uni-
form basa lt u,: allliesite. wi th bul k Si0
2
content typica ll y between
S3 and 56 perC<'nl. However. occasiona l basaltic eruptions follow-
e(1 by returns to anrlcsite .. t tha t basa lt ic magma is supplied
in hatches 10 a ..hallow reservOir heneath Mayon. approxim:llely
once every century. and is differentiated to basaltic
and during succeeding decades (Newhall. 1979). The
most recent inOuxes of basa lt ic magma occurred shortl y before
eru ptions 111 18 14 and 1881 - 82 (NeWhall. \979). Products of the
1984 eruption an' basalt IC very similar to those of the
1968 and 197R erupt Ions. and show no eVIdence of a fresh Influx
of basal tI C magma.
HISTORICAL ERUPTIONS OF MAYON VOLCANO
Since the first recorded eruption in 1616. Mayon Volcano
has cmptcd a totaJ of 44 limes. most recently in J984. Because
Mayon's [ower slopes are densely populated, numerous Ij ves and
properties have been lost during and following eruptions. Except
for one unusually explosive Plin ia n eru ption in 18 14, early and
recent hi storical eruptions have been dominantly Vulcani:!n,
producing airfall lapi1li and ash, pyroclasti c flows, aa lava nows,
and frequent, rai n-trigge red laha rs (hot h during and follOwing
eruptions). Major post-eruption lahars have occurred at leas! 7
times ove r the period of record.
Mayan's erupt ions are usually preceded by one or more of
Ihe following precursory signs.
a) Volcanic earthquakes and ground tilt.
b) Fi ssuring at or nea r the crater;
c) A notable increase in the incidence of rockfalls in the
summit area;
d)Change in color of st ea m emission from white to brown
or light gray. as a sma ll amount of ash is incorporated int o
the emission;
e) Increase in the volume of steam emission:
f) Rumbling sounds, from gas explosions or venti ng, ea rth-
quakes. or other processes.
g) Crater glow: and
h) Abnormal animal behavior. such as descenl of wild pigs
and other wi ld animals into populated areas.
The historical record of Mayan eruptions follows. and is also
given in tabular form in the appendix.
1616 : February 1923
The ea rl iest recorded erupti on of Mayon Volcano (Spilber.
gen, 1639). The eruption was characterized by several "rivers of
fire." thick .... moke ... ash. sand, incandescent materials and
bombs ... accompanied by violent ea rthquakes.
1766. July 20 - 25
This was the first eruption to be described at lengt h. Le
Gentil (1779-l781) mentioned a "column of fire" 10- 15 m hIgh.
8
9
accompanied by a high ash column. Aidan tephra was blown to-
ward the At least one pyroclastic now was described as
"falli ng a torrent of lava rushing down the cast side of the
volcano which, upon Teaching the sea, carried a great of
fi reworks." At least one lava flow occurred, "a river of hot Tocks"
that poured frOIll the crater and descended the eastern slopes for
two days. Crater glow was fo r four months.
1766 : October 23-24
A destructive nonvolca111C lahar was triggered by heavy
typhoon r:line; The town of Mahn;lIl W:l<; completely
and ("agsaua, Budlao, Guinobatan, Ll gao and PolangUi suffered
conSiderable damage. Coconut and other trees were buried up to
their crown. Casualti es amounted to 30 in Malinao and 19 111
Albay (Legazpil.
1800. October 30-31
Mult iple of ash, sand. and rocks destroyed the
towns of Cagsaua, Budiao, and others.
18 11 : OclOber 5 - 6
Foll owing a series of earthquakes, a for ceful ejection of
colu mn of ash and rocks. and 3 "big river of fir e rolled" from
the summit" (Espinas, 1978).
18 14 : February I
A Plinian eruption, Mayan's most violent and dest ructive
in histori ca l time. A ser ies of locally felt ea rthquakes began on
Ja nuary 31. increasing in frequency untt! the eru ption began.
Small quant ities of ash first appea red on February I , at 0630H
(Martinez, U\59): at 0830H, .. power ejection of ash, lapilli, and
large as big jars" began. A torrent of fir e, lava. and large
hot rocks or bombs (Faustino, 1929) descended the southern
slopes. These hot rocks devastated all the nearby barrios and towns,
including Camalig. Cagsaua, Budiao, and large parts of Albay
(Legazpi City) and Guinobatan. Bombs reportedly reached 3S far
as San Miguel Isla nd, 18 km from the crater. and pumice "as
large as hen's eggs" was repoTled to have reached Bubulusan,
Guinobata n. After two hours,ejec tio n of coarse debris. ash and
iapilli ejection cont inued unti l at \cast 1330H. The ash douds
were dense enough 10 cause noticeable darkness as far north as
Manila and as far south as Laoang, Samar
Due to the vloience of the explosions , the craler rim IVa'>
lowered by about 40 m. and breached on its south side. The
sound of explosions was heard as fa r away as Laoang, Samar.
and possibly even further. Appearance of "fire" ncar the craler.
earthquakes, and minor eruptions of ash and incandescent male.
rials continued for at least 2 weeks after the main eruption .
Airfall (and possibly surge) deposits formed a widely dist ri -
buted laye r of black, lapil li and around Mayo n.
50 to 100 em thick near Budi30. Torrential ra ins were generated
within the erupt ion clouds, and resulting lahars buri ed the vill ages
of Bubulusan, Cagsaua, and Budiao to depths of 10-1 2 m. The
tota l death toll for all vilJages was estimated to be 1200. Large
parts of Ugao, Guinobatan, Ubog, Tabaco, and Ti wi were
reportedly 'burned and destroyed," but damage in those ttreas
wa s most likely from lahars and tephra fall.
1827 - 1828 : J une to February
For seve ra l days, a column o f " fire" rose 300 m above the
crater, accompanied by st rong earthqua kes, lightning in the
eruption clouds, and lahars triggered by heavy rains on the sou th-
west slope, especially near Camalig. Thousands were left home-
less. The SOuthwest port ion o f the croll er rim was
18341835,
This episode was a more or less continuous erupt ion o f
incandescent "lava," with " torrents of fire" going down all the
major channels (Abell a, 1885). On or before May 5, 193 5, this
pyroclastic now (?) ac tivity was succeeded by minor eruptions
of ash and lapilJi. with great steam d ouds and strong thunde r.
The airfall ill IlIrn sllcceeded by numerous lahars .
1839:
A minor ash eruption during this yea r. attributed to
IsaTog in Wilkes' ( 1839- 1842) narra tive, was more likel y from
Mayon.
- [./hog WQS , e/wmed 510 Domillgo 011 Augusl 4. /959 by R A No 2520
11
10
1845: January 21 (Abella, 1883) or Jan \9-20 (Martinez, 1859)
TIle eruption began with a small ash ejection last ing for 10
minutes preceded by loud subterranean noises which continllcri
for one week after the start of the eruption (Abella, 1883 :
Faustino, I n()). Explosive pyroclastic eruptions at 15-30 minute
intervals followed, which continued for a few days (Abella, 1883).
Heavy ash f;111, blown by the northeasterly wind, darkened the
towns of Call1alig, Guillooatall and Ligao. At least one of the ash
clouds was mushroom-shaped and contained pumice. Accounts of
"red hot sand" (Espinas, 1978) and "1:1V:l nows running down the
ravines" probably refer to pyroclastic nowsand subsequent lahars.
1846 _. May II
111is event was a strong ash eruption with clouds of "smoke"
overlain hy a black cloud of 1978). Approximately
12 cm of ash fell on the town of Camali!:!. Crater glow continued
for many I11ghts after the eruption
18'it : May 26-June
Two minor ash eruptions, accompanied by violent tremors.
1853: July 13 - 26
A major eruption. preceded by loud subterranean noises
but not by felt earthquakes. At approximately IIOOH. an im-
mense column of ash rose from the crater and spread at its top
into a tree-like shape. At the same time, incandescent rocks rolled
from the summit to the base of the volcano. Ashfall and probable
pyroclastic nows hit Camali g and Guinobatan, leaving them in
total darkness and killing about 34 persons (Selga. 1937).
On July 27 a major lahar, as much as 4 III deep in the Nasisi
River, changed the course of that river and covered large areas of
Ligao. Oas. and Polangui.
On AIlgust 20th, from 1400H to 1800H, coarse ash fell in
Malilipot. Bacacay, llbog. Guinobalan. Camalig. Cagsaua. and
Albay (legalpi), leaving thcm in total darkness for a little over
three hours. No mention was madc of nows of incandescent
volcanic materials, nor casualties.
1855: March 22
FollowlIlg crater glow, a minor eruption with incandescent
ash, "fire which spread out in the air in the form of very fine
threads of gold," arid small intermittent "lava flows." An earth-
quake was felt in Manila on this same day (Espinas. 1978), but it
is unlikely that the earthquake and eruption were related.
1857 : (?)
An ash eruption as reported by Hochstetter (1859).
1858 : January to December
TIle initial outburst was lava fountaining which rosc up to I SO
m above the crater rim. Considerable activity occurred for ten
months consisting of quiet flows of lava from the crater, and in-
candescent materials rolling down the sides of the volcano with
emissions of small quantities of ashes at the crater. Entire forests
and plantations were destroyed, and many people dicd from mal-
nutrition and poor sanitation in the evacuation centers. Lahars
were reported by Neumann van Padang (1953).
In 1858 or 1859, a "pillar - (spine) rose just outside the rim
of the crater: Jagor (1873) estimated it to be 30-35 m tall, and
Von Drasche (1881) estimated it to be 60 m tall. It was subse-
quently destroyed by the 1892 eruption.
1859-1860
During this period, the crater glowed cont inuously.
1861
A minor ash eruption described by Faustino (1929) as "out-
bursts of ashes and dust".
1862
A minor ash eruption with lahars (Neumann van Padang,
1953 ).
1868: Decemher 17
An eruption characterized by a large ash cloud and a minor
now of red hot rocks, accompanied by loud subterranean sounds
13
12
(COMV OL. \975). AIso" thousands of stones. like hllhted ha 1\00n5
from t he top of Mnyon," and lallaTS were reported.
1871 - 1872: December R to January
Early III the morning. of DCI:. 8. loud subtcrranc':l11 noises were
heard. and eruption began between 070011 and 0800H (Faustino,
1929), with ;1 hi!!,h ash cloud thai rose "majestically" and then,
blown hy thl' Willll, and ashes allll
accretionary lapilli towards the towns of Camalig and (iuinobata n:
the eject<l becoming prog.ressively coa rser over time. By 1000H,
the fields <lnd roofs were mantled with ash to a thickness of 4 nllll.
At 13001-1. Ihe emption intensified with <l strong detonation amI
volcanic ligh tning, and "streilms of l,lV<l" descended soulh :lnd
southeast toward Alb:lY and Legalpi. destroying the 12 years
growth of vegetation. Two persons ill Bogtong were :lsphyxiateli
or suffocated ;Jlld one person in Buyuan was buried. During
the rirst d<lYs of the eruption. there were strong earthquakes,
<lnd the "sl11klt1!! of sma ll were reported in Mirisbiris,
Bac;!c;Jy Pyrodl<;[l(" CTltptlOns continued for several weeks until
January. 1872.
1872. Septemher
Emission of and --lava ," accompanied by subterranean
ru mh li ngs.
1873: June 20 July
A minor eruption accompanied by a sudden 30 em of sub-
sidence in the town of Malinao.
1875: November
No erupt ion occurred, hut heavy rain trigge red a lahar that
killed 1500 people.
1876: Ap ri l :md November 2(;
Minor
1881 -- July 6 - August
On July 6.1881. crater glow hl'ralded a long eTllptloll that be-
!!<Ill With ;1 thid r:lIll of ,Illd l:1pilll which fell for
sever<ll Floot"<; were covered by 2-3 cm of <lsh . Followlllg the
init ial ash ejection, lava was gently extruded from the crevices ncar
the summit. Flows were both incoherent and fragmented. but
always (Abella, 1883).
On July 16 and 22, incnndesccnt rocks described as "lavas"
were seen rolling down the gullies of the south and southwestern
slopes. From then on, the emption continued with periods of
grea ter or lesser intensity.
At I 130H. Novemher 2 1, dark clouds appeared at the
su mmit and ash began to fall in Camalig and Guinobatan. Greater
quantities of incandescent fragments descended the slopes, the ir
lines of descent ma rked by white " smoke" or vapors emanating
from the fragments (Abella, 1883) (alternatively, the white
"smoke" might have been dust). On November 23, 24 and Decem-
ber 2, molten lava and fragmental materials were erupted to
the south, southeast, and southwest, reaching 400-600 m below
the summit.
Renewed ash eruptions occurred from December 14 - Janu
ary 1882 (ashfall in CamaJi g and Guinobatan), fol1owed by gentle
outpouring of viscous, "fragmented." incandescent lavas from
fissures as low as half way down the south and southwest slopes
of the mountain. (A bella, 1883).
Lahars occurred repeatedly throughou t most of 1881 and
1882.
1885 : November 2 1 - December 2
A minor ash eruption, characterized in the record as an "bver-
flowing of lava" toward the SSW, W and SSE reached only
400-600111 below the cra ter.
1886 - 1887 : July 8 - March 10
This was another eruption of long duration, gentle, continuous
eruption in whi ch lava or "red hot rocks" nowed quietly and slow-
ly from the crater, accompanied or followed by more explosive
ash and scoria eruptions on Jul y 8, 1886; Feb 8, 22 & 27 and
March I & 9, 1887. On Feb 22, a moderately large eruption spread
ash as far south as Mau raro and brought darkness to Camalig, A
stronger ash eruption on March I brought darkness again, and on
March 9-10 an ash eruption lasting for 20 hours brought up to 8
cm of ash to roofs in Guinobatan and Li bog (Coronas, 1898;
Selga, unda ted manuscript.) Selga also recorded a possiblo;: lava
flow or pyroclastic now towards Libog.
14
Several houses caught fire, the roofs ofother houses
and 15 people perished. Lahars began in March 1887 and contI-
nued for more than a year .
1888 December 15
were accompa nied by roaTi ngs and
Two mlllor ash eruptions
rumblings(Faustino, 1929).
1890 : September 10 - 30
Small flows of incandescent material or " 'ava" were not ed on
the eastern slopes toward Libog. Then on Sept. 30: a moderately
strongash eruptionoccurred (Coronas, 1898:Faustino, 1929)and
fl ows of molten mat eri als and incandesce nt rocks al most reached
Ihebase ncar the town ofLibog(Fallstino, 1929).
1891 October3 - 18and December3
Minor explosions occurred, ano small "current sof nowed
downtheSOllthand southwestslopes.
1892: February 3- 29:
Ry January 1892 the quantit y of ash in the plume wa s
greater than usual. and on February 3 crater glow was
The eruption consist ed of explosive ejection of iapllh, and
bombs ever)' 10-20 minutes,accompani ed and sllbter-
ranean noises. Probable pyroclast ic fl ows rushed down theeast
and east-southeast slopes. On February 20 a large portion o f the
crater rim broke off. and by February 24 the cone wa sreportedly
lowered by 100 m. Activity waned hy theend ofIhemonth.
1893 octoher4 - 23& 31
Premonit ory noises were heard on 2-3. ash,.Ia-
pilli and boml:l ejections, and "crcepmg lavas desce ndlllg
the eastern slopes were observed (Faustino, 1929 ). Subl err;!nean
no ises were accompanied on October 11 and 18 by strong pro-
longed tremors.
189 5:July 20August, and November 25 26
A Tmnor ash erupt io n and lahar Li ghtning, and an"emissio n
of ra inwat er from the summit, accompanied by underground
rumblings and a dreadful earthquake." Crater glow throughout
the month of August, and emission of lava from fissures on the
east side of thecone duringNovember25-26.
1896 August 31 - ,September27
1llis was another period of minor ash and lava eruptions. and
minorlahars(Coronas, 1898),
1897 : June4 - July 23
On May 23 or possibly earlier, premonitory earthquakes, sub-
t erranean rumblings and crater gl ow began . "Dust laden vaporsat
the summit and smal1 quantities of lava and molten materials"
were extruded fro m fi ssures near the crater. On May 13,aslrong
tectoni c earthquake along the Philippine Fault Zone that trigger-
ed several rockfalls on the eastern (Sto. Domingo) side ofMayon
might have hastened theJuneeruption.
On June 4, the eruption began withaslightemissionofashand
incandescent materials which flowed down theeastern slopes. The
emission ofashes and molten materials kept increasing, accompa-
ni ed by incessant roarings and rumblings. On the 23rd ofJune, a
"big mass of dark clouds" was seen, and a "multicolored
cloud" or "oson" (pyroclastic flow) descended towards Sto. Do-
mingo, causi ng Mayon to appear as a "glowing mountain" (M.P.,
1897). On the 25th,theeruption becameeven moreviolent.There
were "flamesfrom thecrater,"thunder,lightningand flyingincan
descent stones accompanied by the flow ofashes and sands (pro-
bable pyroclastic flows), and "some cloudso f ash and dust reach-
ed Albay (Lega zvi) but only for a short while," and the glowing
avalanche reached as far as the seashore ofSto, Domingo (M.P.,
1897).
Several barrios were completely overwhelmed. as were por
tions of San Fernando and San Roque. Other "rivers of lava"
rushed toward the barriosofPawaand 8igaaof LegazpiandTag<&s
of Daraga. At least 226 casualti es were caused by the large pyro
clast ic flow that destroyed the barriosofSto. Domingo. The total
t:ealh 1011 for thedaysJu ne 25-27, includingcasualties from other
towns, wa s estimated to be 350. In San Antonio, nearly 10 km
from thecrat er,houseso nstiltswerecompletely buried,and field s
near $to, Domingowere turned intorock wastelands.
Foll owing the mai n explosive phase, the ash ejection lasted for
17 hours, from theaft ernoonofthe 25th t ill mid-dayo f the 26th.
1ll e entire countryside north and cast of Mayon wa s covered by

...... f7 "'"'b'
16
17
thick, hot ash, with SO C!lllll Tabaco. 3050 C1I1 in Camalig, Lr bog.
:l11d Malilirot. alld 15-20 em in Tiwi . Small "pigeonegg"
Si7.C lapilli tc! 1 in Lig;lO. hut only a !l.::w mm of ash fd l in Lcgazpi
arlll l);lwg:l /H'con lrll)! 1(1 M.I' (1 RIJ7). ash T('nehed as filT as 1)'lel.
and Milshatl' .
J\ hot lal1:11 l'.1sSl:d down the River (SIn. [}ol11inI!O)
:rnl'T thl' eruption. :lnd .1nolher hoI lahnr descended the ENE
!lIlt' I1Hlnl11 :lnCI l11l' Cl1rpllOIl . OIlier lahan
cau\cd IlMlllr d ,lIlI:r!!l' 111 C:!t1wlic TIll' vioknc(' of the eruption
left a low 'gap 111 till' rll11 of 1he crater. iI ,I!:lp which persis-
ted lInlll 1'147 and which directed seve ral cmptlOm toward Slo
I )otllrll,l!o.
1QOD Mar..:h 1(,
Pr(,lllonltory '11111('Tr:II1(,<l11 l'faler glow. Jhnormally
high 5tralll t'I11I"SIOti. slight Jilt! Jbnormal nni111al
hehavlOr werr obsrrvrd III 1;1Ie FehruMY. An erupt ion rlolld of
and lapilh 8 kill nbove the crnter rim tFaustino. 19291.
followl'd by lava rolll11g iIK<lIHlrsl'ent rocks, terrific explo-
from tile crater. and or lightning (Se lgJ. lindated
mallmenpt) A hot IJhar . 750 111 Wide alld 7 III deep. nowell
slowly down the B<lsud Rlvcr aud IIpOI1 the sea. formed
i:rrge douds ("If sleal11
1902
Millor ash (,IUptl <'11 With
or lust posl-1900 cnlptlon
lalwrs (lmtoTical record IS unclear)
1915
No rnlptlon occurred. hut large nOli -volcanic or
"nood<' hUTIed a large paT! of Call1;llrg and Bong:rbollg. TJhaco.
192R )Jnuary to
A premonit ory ,'olul11ll of --smoke" and possibk CT:rter glow
may have l'OIllIllt'lll-rtl as l'arly as November 1927 (Espinas . 1978 ).
<lud positively set'l) heglllning ) ;!1l1r:rry 1928. On Fehnlilry R.
short-lived. 150-m high lava fountaining spread pyroclJstic debrrs
around the upper slopes of the cone.
,.f
.......
, 1",-Ii. .< -:- ' .
1, ...

" ,
,( . ,. /y.
. ;."
'"
"
..
"
Fig. 3 1928 Vlllcanian eruption of Mayon Volcano. Vicwlooking NE
from
Starting J lllle an ash cloud was observed over the-
sUlllmit. On June- 15 ,lilt! 18. July 7. 8,18. 19 21. and August
7 (Fig. 3) empl ions produced S1. Vincent-type pyrm;las
tic flows. "carhonizing" <It least one man in San Antonio. Malih
pot. On August 1. ;lsh fell in Snll Anlonio. Taha co. <lnd in Al11tic.
Ligao ; on another unspecified d:rte. pumICe --the size of
oranges" fellm Bonga. Bnc;1c.1Y,
On June at 1840H. materials were
ro lling down the e:rstern slope toward Li bog. at first "small :lt1d
tear like" but gradually increasing in size and fre(1uEC'ncy . Within
19
18
three days an aQ lavo now had travelC'tI 5 kill; then, slowing. it
into two main IIf th" III elevation. The now
finally stoppc<! in early AUj!ust. havinp: rea ched as low as 300 m
above level. Short lava flows also moved towa rd TabaeD.
Malilipo!. Bacacay and C01malig. According to Faustino (1930),
the volume of materials erupted in 1928 was around 150 million
cubic meters. bast'd upon what was seen resting on thc slopes and
wha t the noods had ta ken away. Further description o f thi s
erupt ion may he found in Faust ino (1 Q2Q).
1930. March (?)
No emption. only rain-triggered lahars.
1938: J UllC S
A VlIlcanian Nuption. mildl.'T than the 1928 activity. Ashfnll
was heaviest in Gtlinob:lt:Hl :ll1d Ligaa. as much as 3.5 em th ick in
Barrio Midela. Ligan. Lesser thickncsses fe ll in Cam ali!!. Daraga ,
and Tabaco. 110 :Ish fell on the eastern side of the vol
ca no, Sevcral strong explmlotls proliu(ed small 51. Vincent-type
pyroclasti ( nOW$. An ao lava now through the breached
eastern crater rim and nowetl parallcl to (:lnd just north 00 the
1928 now, to 570 m elevation. Short nows were also reported
in the direction$ of Camalig, Nasisi. Buang, and San Vicente.
1939: August
COMVOL (1975) reponed a minor eruption.
1941. September 13
MinOT emission o f steam and ash
1943 .
Another minor emission of stcam alHt ash.
1947 : Janua ry r ... bmary
Premonitory crater I!low and "smoke" was follow... d by an
eruption th at heg.'lll with ash cJct'oon, followed by coarscr pyro
clastics. On January 9, ' Iava issucd ft{)]11 a fracture at the side of
the cone facinE! Sto. Domingo' (Akara7.. 1(47), On January 10,
another lava stre am noweti toward Cln'alig, but the main lava
now descended Iowanl Barno Calbayol!. Ma1ilipot. Pro bah Ie
pyroclastic nows reached near San Vicente. ;vtalilipot
Continued nsh eject ion buried Barrio Masarawag. Guinobatan,
ankle deep in ash.
1968 : April 20 Mn 20
Premonitory earthquakes as early as October of the previous
year (COMVOL. 1975), crater glow, occasional subterranean
rumbling, "smoke", a decrease in magnetic field strength in the
vicinity of the volcano, and landslides from ncar the sum mit in
lat e Ma rch to ea rl y Apri l announced an impendi ng eruption.
On April 22 (COM VO L. 1975), a Vulcanian eruptio n com-
menced wit h falling ash and lapil1i, including thumbsize accre-
tionary lapilli. joined later by 51. Vincent-type pyroclastic flows
toward Tinobran. Quirangay. Miis!, and Bonga (Moore and Melson,
1969), An aa lava flow formed from material coalescing fr om the
lava fountains. and by em ission of lava from small fi ssures wit h1l1
100 III of the summit (Fig. 4).
Pyroclastic material was emitted interm ittent ly from the
cen tral crater - at first, every 34 hours and later every to
1 hour . Most o uthursts lasted 10-15 minutes or less. but some
were long :'IS 40 minutes.
Numerous lahars occurred during and after the erupt ion,
1978: May 3 to J uly 4
As ea rly as November 6, 1977. premonit ory cra ter glow was
observed. accompanied by change in the color of stea m from
white to light brown. an increase in the volume o f steam emission.
and an increase in the frequency of volcanic earthquakes.
The initia l act ivity was Strombolian, wit h quiet emission o f
lava and a minimal amount of ash. Rolling, incandescent blocks
from a lava fl ow were first noticed on the southwestern slope of
the volcano about 2000H on May 3. Concomitant tremor or
cont inuolls grollnd vibration was recorded by both the Sta .
Mi sericordia and Mayon RestHouse (MRHO) seismographs,
Lava flowetl onto the southwestern slope because crater
. 'n this sector had been breached during the 1968 erupti on. By
rnn I 1 (r <1
M:lY 15. the 1968 lav:l flow was ovemm by the new ava . Ig.. . ,
Lava emission was followed by the ejection of ash clouds.
perhaps on May II (Fig. 6) jlldging from se ismic records, By May
20
21
Fig. 4 Thl.' April .May 19Ml'O'plionsofMayor, produccd pyroclastic'
flows and tfl rmoo which r(':J ched ilhour 10km high. pyro.
clastic werl.' chal1uel-cunfincd lmd nnw TUIlOU( :Jvcragl'd ] .6 klll .
or pyroclastic nnws :I Tt' IIIldcolcml illro but
("l' ncc W:lS nnl nhsc",' rd . Elcclriclll With;;, ash clouds :Jnd
nambling IIccnrnpanied ael"' i, y. Vukllnian (' n'plions
werl.' int r mllll('(\ hy !I nnNby tal'a nnw 10 Ihe SW. S'nlctml.' al right
the church stC'l.'pk of "' li me.' 10Wil ....:1 .< inu ndated by
during Ih(' IRI4 I' rul'li rms View rooking NNE. Phnt ograph by Six. Si s
SInd;!). Lr!!-17pi Cil},
-------------------"-'
Fig.S Block am fl ow deposit ( foreground) and a I.... . flow (c('nltt)
thaI from the 1968 (' n'plions of View looking
northt:tst. rhulo&r:tph by 0 .0 . ptna
IS. slrougereiel-' o rl':Hl liOower-sha ped ash laden reach
ed a hei ght of .:: k1l1 ;ll'oY(' the cnlt er ri m. :1n'oll1panicd hy loud
:Ind 1;lq:r-:llnplitulic ('nnhquakcs .
'OI11C of whlrh 1\I'n' rell Inten!'lIy I 011 th('
Ford SOlie. at the RC5thouse
Ih(' e ruption until t he ll1ornin}! 01 /<.Iay :: whrn a
(If ;1, 11 wcre thl'
Illtcn',11 \" 1'],,<.1/,1\<. ],C.. '.. ,II1C Inll!!cr .11111 Ihc :I,h CIC\II,'n<.
l\'Ialll"l'ly"'tnll)!"1 Oil .\by :i. thr('(' .1 .. 1t \\llh
WI'OIl, t (' In l ('l1\1t,,'" 1.ll\d II IlTTI' tt"",dnl
at M I{J IO
Th('rc:1fl(' r. I hc l' l liptlon W:lIlNI. :lnu only 1:11:\
l'OlltUl\ICII On JUIlC Imld ejection or:Ish W:\s:llTOmp:ltII"tl
hy rumblin)! and I'ellowing sound. :I temporary inl'Tcasc in l;lI'a
disd large, intensiric:lllOn of crn ler glow, and volcanic tremor
and ca rtll quakc5. L:1va e mi ssion stoppcd by Jill y 4. bul cratcr
glo w, occasional weak ash puffs, volca ni c tremorand earthquakes
t.:ontilllled fora few months longer.
m
J
A\Iout X 10(' orvolcanic were ejected during
11Iis o:ruplt OIl
22 23
FilE 6 F;)(plo.<lvc foUtlwcd Strombolian on May II. 197,11.
Th(' 197R I'n'I" 10115, howe,cr. predominantly irl\'nlvcd
lava ('f(us;"" {n dIeSW slope.
1981. June 30
No eruption occurred. but 1111wrs triggered by heavy typhoon
rains killed Illorc [han 40 pcopl('.
1984. September9 October6
A slight increase in seismicity (the MRHO seismograph
recorded 36 volcanic rarthqua kcs on August 4). crater glow.
an increase in the volume of steam in the plume and a change
in its color from williI.' to brown,inversionoftopographyin the
cra ter from a (1cprcssioll to a mound, and numerous rockfa!1s
signalled impendlllg eruption. The eruption began with over-
now rocksfrom the cratl'r. fol1owl'd by Vukanian
explosions. light ashfall. pyroclastic fl ows. and conco1111tant l<lva
ex trusion . from 9 ullti! September 16 or 17. During
the slrollgeq <'-"plosive adivity ofthis first phaseof the eruption.
ash clouds on September 1J re;H:hed he igh t s of 11-1 2 km above
thl' cratN rim. and pyrocl astic nows travelled toward the SW
and NW. Lava nowed mainly low:lroJ the SW, paralleling the 1968
and 1<) 78 flows. short fl o ws also moved NNW <lnd NW (Fig.7).
Fig. 7. Early phase ofVukanianeruptionsofMayon, Sept. 1984, producC'd
a verti cal cloud and small pyroclastic flows. View 10 SSE from
Mayon Observatory.
On September 23-25 a strong resurgence and the strongest
explosions of the eruption sent ash clouds to a maximum height
of 16 km(Sawad<l, 1985). and generated numerous pyroclastic
flows. Most of the pyroclastic flows were funneled by a bre<lch
in the crater rim onto the SE and E slopesofthe volcano. Rl'pea
ted flows along the SE path (<I hove Bonga. lega7.pi City) eroded
<I deep ravine .
A mild reslIfgen ce occurred on October 0. NUlllerous bhars
occurred duringand <lfter thl'eruption.
No casualtit-s were attributed to the eruption o r to suhse
qucnt lahars. Furthcrdescription of thisemplion may he found in
the SEAN Bulletin (1984.)and Corpuz(1985 ).
24
---_.. - .. _--_. -
DISCUSSION
The Mayon arca is densely populated so a prospectus for
fut ure eruptions 11' o f great v31uc in s.1fcguarding Iives . and in
land-usc planninf!,. Except for the 1814 Plinian eruption, almost all
historic;!! erupti ons have been Vukan;an. tephra fall , pyroclast ic
nows, aD lava nows, amI fr equellt rain triggered lahars during and
after the eruption( rig. 8).
Tephra fa ll is large ly (unl Talkd hy the prevail ing wind direc-
tion. whkh changes scasonnlly in this region. From June to
November. winds from the southwest mo nsoon blow ash and
lapim toward the northeast sector of Mayon, From November
to Marcil. winds arc frolll tIle llorlhcOlst 1110l1soon. During April
and May. an(1 in other months whe n the monsoon winds are weak,
Iraut' winds prc-vOliL Not infreq ll cnt ly, lower
and higher elevation blow in o pposite directions, spreading
ash in bo th The wncentration of tephra raU in the
Olnd hy prevailing winds has been
accentuated hy pyroclast ic flows anel <Iebris
nows (In Ihe and slopes o f Mayon.
PyroclaslK fl ows 10 fmlll hy collapse o f dense slugs o f
explmion Ir;lv('] \Iown ravines and
ha rrarKos (d of Ihe lHJ4 1835 CTllp li on), Their
loau IS Within Ihe harranl'o" and also in lohatc
wherever nv(' rflf\w the or wherever the bnrranco
011 1 on to the j:t"'lItk hl wl'r For a morc det ailed
c; ripl lOn. sec ("TtlZ., ('/ al. 19H5
Lnva flows fr om both geological evidence aod histori cal
an:ount s. see lll 10 have from the crater and , less l'Ollllllonly,
from fj"sures nn the middle and npper slopes ,OMVOL 197 5,
and previously died rcferCtH'C's). Judging from past history, few
flows fmlll tht"' slim mit will t"'xlend hdow 300-400 III elevation.
Debris tlallilrsl on:ur tlurinl! or Olfter an eruption .
Durin!! erupt ion. lIlt"' now" arc ""ual1y t rigge red by torrential ra in
j!:encratrd ill or ll C'ar rrnptulll d oud s. Larger debris nows have
been trij!l!rTl'Il hy heavy .1IHI/or typhoon rai ns several
year5 aftrr cTll plin1l5. in 17M,. 1915, 19R1. and
re(' cntly
Fle hl of the 1984 nupli oll as we ll as detailed
pr Ihe hlq('rlr;ll arl"ounts two contrnst ing se-
111 i\ \av nll erllJ't iml" TIl(' flr..t is froll1 aidall
2S
I
I
I

/
f:::.
0
* *' ./ ;.... ,-:. ocf
'41 ... J; :.
it ... to ....t:;:. #. -;,, (0'" 0'"+
"-J b" ...:J Ii q,O ...... 4-"
-jffi"-
-
. . _- ,
Vulcania n
1800
-
-
, ,
-
18 u
-
-
--
"
Plinian
1827_ 28
-- -
"
I
..
I
1834-35
-
- ,-
..
1839
I
1846 ,
18U
=-
j
Vuleanian
;;-
,
Sirombolian
I
r:
r--'-
1811 - 12
I
i-
1881- 82 ;- .
-
-
Co
-
,
SlIombohan
"
-
1886_81
, ,
Sl fOmboli an
0

-
,
1897 Strong Vulanian
=-
;:;
-
I
I
1928 _. - ,
Vulcanian
1938
1=
,
Vulcanlan
1947
f-.
,
Vulcanian
I
1968
,
Vulcanian
1978 --- ,
Stromboli an
1984
I-
- .
-
,
Vukanian
Flg.8 Hislol'"lal of Mayon showing typ" of COnnpondinl
and pouiblt cyclical ".naUons in lava compOilition (from N","hall, 1977).
27
26
ash and lapill; to pyroclastic nows (and debris Oows), and finally
to lava nows. This " normal" sequence of a Mayon eruption is
attributed to progressive decrease In t he volatile of magma
at the downward'1ll(lvinl! vesiculati on front , and the increasing
diffi cult y with which deep vesiculation will drive overlying mate-
rial out ofthe L"Onduit .
Tilt' \\'nllld S('(lUl'llc(' is from I1Il' quiet emission oflava nows
to re lativel y explosive cjCdioll of :Ish and lapilli. resulting in
tephra fall. nnws, and debri s nows. as observed in the
1984 eruption . Eruptions followed simil ar sequences ,., \ 8R6-
1887, IRQO,and \91R. In these eruptions. relativel y {lcgassed
magma remaining in the l"omluil after a previouseruption mayhe
pushed out as lava nOW!;. then. fresher, volati lerich magma is
erupted explosively
Aft er the violen t eruption of 1897 left a low gap in thecast
rim of the crat er. subsequent erupt ;om until \947 were directed
toward Sto. Domingo. Simila rl y, erosion o f the south and east
pa rts of the (Tater rim during the 1984 eru ption. and a deep
ravine below that hreach. will likely flmne\ pyroclastiC naws,
debris nows. alHI lava naws Iowan! the south and ea!;t 5ecl ors
afthevolcano far the foreseeable futur e ofMayon.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thc author<; wish to cxprcs5 then to Or. R.S Ptmong
bayan. DIrec to r of PI-lI VOLCS and Or. K.S. Roool fo of Ule
DOGS for patiently editi ng the paper. Thanksalso to A.P. Alcaraz
for hi scomments ilnd review.
REFERENCES
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Seism. Soc. Japan . 5: 405423.
.. ... .........1885. EI Mayon 0 Volean de Albay: Madrid, Te llo. 23 p
Alcaraz. AIIUTO P. 1947.The I('cent activityofthe Mayon Volcano.(Unpub
Iished report).9I('aves.
_._...... 1968. Role of Ihe Commissionon Volca noloy in OpenlionMayon
CO/llvor. L('(Ier. 2(3)' 14.2(4) . 14.
Aragoncsts. 1814 Suceso espantoso y memorable acucld" rfl
13 prov incia de Camarines eI dia primero de Febrero de este prescnte ana
de 1814 (Frightful and mrmorable happenings in the province of(ama
nnes. the fi rst day of Febmary of this year 1814) Sampaloc
prival(' prinling. 19 p.
Becker, George F. 1901 Report on the geology of Ihr Philippine Islands
US. Geological Survey 21st Annual Report.. Pt. III, P 531533.
....... 1905 AfcalUle of Mayon Volcano ProceedingJ of IIII! Washington
Academy of Scil!nCl' 7:277282
Beirn. James Thomas . 1978. The killer volcano: Mayon. SlInbrITS/ 6 (7);
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30. 1985.
29
___________________________
(fUr..JC!O!11C R .. Renaln U. Solidum.and ErnciI(o G.Corpu7.. IQR5 .TranspOI t,
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__... .._. 1930.NotesonMayanVolcano.I'lrilippbreJOl/malof SciClln'.4)( 4 /
'O J
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dia 1 de Febfero de 1814 huta tI dia 18 del mismo mesoUnpubl ms .
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Moole. J.G and W. G. Nueesardentesofthe 1968eruphon of
Mayon Volcano Philippmes. Blilletill Volcanologiq!lt.33:600-620
Neumann van Padang. M 1953. Catalogue ofIlle Acti"e Volcanoes ofIIII'
World inc/rldillg Solfalara Fif'lds. Pt. II. Philippine Isl ands and Cochin
China IAVCEI.49 p.
Newhall. Christophe r G. 1977. Geology and petr ology ofMayon Volcano
Southeastern Luzon. Philippines. Unpubl. M. S. thesis. Unlv . California
at 292 p.
._.. _...1979 Temporal variations in the lavas of Mayan Volcano. Philip.
plOes.J011rl1(l/01Vo!callo/ogyandGrethennal Rtsearch. 6:61 .83.
Pena.Olimpio. 1978 Notes on Mayon erupt ion fr om May 3.]uly 4. COM
VOL's role in"OperationMayan," TheCOM VOL Lwtr. 10 (3and 4)
Philippine CommIssion on Volcanology. 1975. Mayon Volcano. Q c. . Com
mission onVolcanology. 12 p.
...._.... 1981. Catalogue ofPhilippine volcanoes and solfataricaren.3rd rev.
QuezonCity : CommissiononVolcanology. 132 p.
Punongbayan. Raymundo S.1985. An approach for utimalingagesofactive
volcanoes. PhilippineJournalofVolcanology. 2(I &. :n
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MayonVolca no. /'hilippilltJoum'Jlof Volcallolog),. 2(I ol 2).
Sadella Maso. Mi gtll'l 1894. La dcrni er elUpcion de Mayon. October 1893
ParIS:Cosmos(472)' 4.p.
1905 Volcanoes and seismic cent ers: Census o f the Phi lip.
pme Isl ands( J903). US. Bureau of Census.p 184.25 4
30
1925. Philippi ne vobllocs VC'r" G(!()I. Ml/l1h Grll Ned. Kol.
Gf'o/ g 38]
Sawada. Y('JSlliiro 1985 GMS or Clu p!ion clouds of [he 1984
SC'plcmht . (k-tnht. Mayo'l emption rllififIPil/f' Jou"'al (If VnlcQllo/ng)'
&:

Sel1!3 Nou soble erupcmnes del Mayon en 1845, 1855
Y 181'>.1 !lrr/tIO I/r /0 ,'il/nee/od ASlml/OlIl/ea dr EspallQ I' America J9 : 133
.......... 1931 . Nota sobre 13 erupeion del volca n Mayon en 18 14 .Rt"'is/udrla
So('/ruoclllsrrol/omica. dtF.spclIIayAllltnco, 21: 2225.
_ ... ... _1937. Las erupciones de Mayon en 1853. Doliel/llo de/a Soc/eta Sris-
mu/ogirolltaflQI/Q 35(34) 16$1 67
..... .... as rc>lIow$'
EI Alcalde Ma)'ol de en la erupelon del Mayon de IFI4 p
El volO del Pueblo de Ll bog y la clupeion del Mayon en 1897.6 p.
La erupclon del Mayon en 1814 el ArchIVO Paroqulal de Albay. 5 p.
u erupcl\'ln del Mayan en IRI4 el VicarinGeneral de NuevaCaceres.3 p.
u enlpt lon del Mayan en 1814 y la Daraga. 5 p.
Smithsonian 1984 Volcani C events Mayo n Volcano (Phil)
SEAN BIIUrlm Q (8). 9(9)
Von Drasche. R 1881 Datos paro un eslUd,o geologJco de la Isla de Luzon
(Fll ipinu) BoIrlill tlf' fa ComiSIOII dl' Mapa Cr%tko dr Espana 8 269
3"
Wilkes. C 1852 Narrative nf the U.S e)(ploring e)(ped1tl0n London Ingram
Cooks. v. 10 p. 539.545

APPENDIX
Hisioric EruplionsofMayonVolcano,Philippines
DATE
,
RC\IR-
DATE
SORY
n'PEOf ASSOCIATED
START
"'0
"C"'
cnvrTY
..,,"''''''.
PUCES AffECTED IlEMARl<S
YEAR .0DY YUR
M.
DY Q R C S Af T1'
"
Lf L RS VLE
,
1616 1616 2

"
,,,. ,,,. , "
T vuo< AF.PF.U_Ea.. T 20

"
Malinaod..tloy.d.c."".....
GulllObltan,ludiao.
PolanpJ.Upo_ ....Jo.
dam.oln
" " " " "
,..
JO 0800 YULe c."'.....Bud...o."c.

, , " " "
1811 1811 YULe
'0
"

,
PF__tho'n....pc.
181" 2 I!OO
,

2 181"
'UN
C.malia,c ........ 8..d.,0
CUinobllln, hllfo(
Alb.y
L- Ca........ 8udioo
AF/ L? UIPO, Culnob.l.n
ll oog,' Ti ..i

,
Ea.Iir...tcOI'de<i
ala'" (or
DturUC1...Ld""tohe..,.
,yplloon uln. _Oct . 2J..24
30dUlh._ Milinao
19dnth._ Alb.y
Multlpl.py.o.cruptiOn.
for<;.Mcjccllom or .column
or..h odt.
MBi&,im"ofr....
!IIOII YioItftt.....tnocu.. tnlp-
tion
Pow'rful.)tchO"orIshA
bpdU
M'Jo, Pf.
Cu'" dueed 40m.
M.o.L ........"
"".CU,"fYSi&n
typeofAC1,.;ly
"-..,,dPho........ N Typeof EoupllOfl
Q _QuUe Ai_Ash F:ill
L
- ...., PUN _1'.. ".....
R _Run'lblc TF _ T.ph" F:aI. RS _Rumbl""SounJ.
YUle Vuk>".."
G _Glow
I"f_Py.o<b"k:Flow VL _ VOk:lnk: I.J&hln,na
STRM - Stlom"',"'"

S _ Sonolt. Lf _1..>_> Flow
f.Q u flh'lu,);

DATE DATE P1lEC1JR- TYl'EOf ASSOClAT1D I

ST A. RT END SORY AC11VfTY PIlENOMINA PUCESAFFECTED RDIARXS

1821 (, 1828 2 x x x X X x x x VULCiL- C:amalia usted Ftb,1828.
Columnofnrc,0..300m.
VULC l.uted unHlMJy ISJS
MOle01 lessCOftlinllow
ISJS Sf')
I

lJhU1,Iptica 1839
jvutc AF - SOIIlm.. UI Camallc E""ptioll$ IS.!Omin. int(Mi 1
,
21
''''
1845
I
I

.
r GUlI\oballl\&. l..Ipo Oneash cloudwithpwnK:c
""
,

I
VULCICunail& - I2:mofISh StlOng u nileruption
,I "
II I 1846 1S
CG continuousfor many ru&hu
""
18S1 Two RUnOI asheruptions
1851 I6 i
,
,
'I
,
'"
"
18S3 34 VULC PF - Camll.!a.Cl,llIlObaWl Major t""pEKln

18SJ i8!:6

L- l.ipo,On,Polanlui
Heavy COI.IW 1I.(allonAul,. 26
Af- Malilipol.Ibcacay.
I i
i II
1
I.
....bog,ell;nglmln,
I 1
185S J n
.

MIllO.<""puon
ISH 1 I

Minorashcnlption
1858 18SS I 12 [rurlal 150mLan STR>

withemiWoftlofsmoDquan-
(ilk,oruh
1861 MinorISh .ruption
1862 Minoruht"'ptJOn

uhdoudw/ lapilli<l 12 17
"68

bombl
1871 PF _ S- SE;Albay, SmamlofIan"- Sir.Sf
12 8 1872

lcg;l.!pl
Cunalig,Guinobatall
I'

Emisliolloruhu"

Minor truptlaa91/suddtcn 30em

,

subsidence illMalin.ao
Rain lIiuercd1011., III Noy 187S
a$h uuplion

'"''
, , Gentleullusionoflava.
STRM Af- Carnali,'"GUlnObataD

C,atullOloutburst stlned
NOY.2I'SI
Repelled Will'
LF - S, SE&. SW liQI""

U' - SSN,W" SSE!lopes MIllO!on,Oowof"bon"
"
smI AF - Cunalig.GU1IIobal:lR Gentle<;OnILnUOWeruptIOn

foUowed byHh&. <cgria &. l.JbOS
er...pllon ,
Violent actlVltiugn Jul8,
1886;feb.22& 27; MlIr. J
'"9, t887
Uha.- M:u 'S7conunued
>1 yur

TWQ millor

Scp. l() _ moderatelyItrOns
If- , hrn ltRed Ubos lOda
lSberuptiQn

,
MinoruplOlion, LF - Sol SW

, ActivityIII ruu bLul Feb.

"
PF - E.lESE ,Japn VUL

Emissionlevery IS20nun.
Cone b)' 100met.n
Aelml),"'lnciJfob
-

If .u,tcrnOOp<"1 MiI>o, 11011. Lapilli.k bomborupllon

SlronlIfemonon 11.1I.k 19111

ofionillurllion
I
MinorerupliononOct.JI

, ).Irnor CrupllQn.llwr

I
,

Cump.:.w "fAu .
I
Emrwon". ......
i
r ::::
1816
1881
I88S
'SS<>
1S88
1890
1891
1892
I1&93
l'9S
:
J
1
Jt
12
9
10
2
10
1812
1873
1876
1881
1885
1881
'88'
189;
1891
189J
:!
'I ,,
'!
!
II126
8
,
"
' I
10
I
,
10

"
,,.,
,
,

10 JI
,
"

,
"

,
10
,
)

189S III
I"

I
,
,
I
:!I
,
,
I
, ,
'I i
'I
"


.
PRECUR
TYl'EOf ASSOClmD DAn om
soRY
PHENOMENA END AClMTY START
OCNS
,
YEAR MD DY YEA MO D't' RS VI.. Q R Lf EQ
A'
'rF
, , ,
!
1896 1896
9! 17
1
""
. , Istrong
,
,
, I, , ,
1897
71 !J
, ,
< 350 YUle
i 1897 !
"
,
,
<
,
'I
,
!
,
, I
I ,
! ,
,
,
,
i
!
1 ,
,
,
I
I
I I
1
:
I
, ,
,
!
1
, 1
I
, , , ,
'I
,
I
I
I ,
,
T.b.C<l. l,bOll& C3JNhg Iapilli
,
, ,
,I
,
I
,
1-hnor '1-\11 erupuOfl
Uhanprobably of1900.,UpI\(I
,
I
, I
, I
IC.",:I1".Bonpbong,Tablco [NonovolQnicfloodsin191 S
:
,
IVULCjPF _San AntOnIO, Malillpol Climax.eaclu:dJ wy 20

,
,
Gasphne luly 22
I IAF - S:ln AntOniO Tatnleo
Alnm Lpo
I Pyroclastic now
TF _ Bongo. BacaclY
ILF - l.Jbog
I
!binuiwredlahalin 1930
I
, -
-
C S
, ,
lid.
,
I
I
,
<
,

, mo
I I
,
,
!
,
,
,
,
I
,
I
,
'
, ,
I
, f-uLe
'
I
1
,
,
I
,
I
1900 I )I
,
1900 I )I6 <
1
,
I
I
I
I
I
I
,
'''''
I
I
I
1928 W) 8
""I
)
,
-
I
EmiSSion ofnumbe,less
!
Af- !..Ipo,GUL/lob3!>n.
PLACES A.ffEC'TED
REMARKS
ash&. lava
Ilnor llhar
f'F - sushorc ofS(O I)ommgo to 1814 crup. on d.mum.enns
barnolofSID. Nmo, ioltnt plus< IUled 17hours
San isidro.San Roque, LiPFruchedAlh1y Gulf
S>n AmonlO, M...enC<lrdLa, ..lUIIulikelydue LO ph
1..1&.10&. pamof
5.ln Fernando.
overwllclmed
l . Blsad Rivet (SID Domingo)
ENE. C.mallg
Precededby.bnormalalUllIJl behaVIOr
"."p'r' ',bog

YULC 1938 6 Foor!ldlbarri.)!of
,I

,
&. LIllo,
AF - Guinobatan.
Camahi.DlIaga!. Tabaeo
LF - Sto. Domingo
,
1939 8
"
1941 9 IJ

1943

1
,
,
,
LF.Sto.Domingo. Calbayog 1947 1947 .1
,
,
VULe I 8

".
Malillpot
PF - SmVlcenle.).iaWipol
AF- Gu;"obatan
anlde-deepau'
I
,
YUleAF - Camal ig"GUUlobatan 20 1968
,
20 1968

6mo

LF - C:tmalig
PF - Tinobrln.Quirangay.
MUli,80nga
) 1918
,
STRM Lf 1978
,

6mo

,,,,
9 1984 6 9 10 VULC LF -

AF - SIO.Domingo
o f ltplPI
PF _ Sf!.to.!'onp
.
Sto. DomlnJo
SeveralstrongexplosionseauwdImlU
pyrod"SlIt110w
Sametype ofactivityas 19211.
butmUder
MmorupJosion
MUloremllsiono fsteam&'lU.
MUloremissionofItum&. aU.
Activitynot allIf Ong >s 1938
,
Pyroebsllc 110w
Frequencyoferupllon
3-4!Irs. to 0.5.1III.
Lava emi..ionIIlledJuly4
CG &. ocenlon'" uhpllff
fter eruplion
l.:llur _ June 30. 19811I."Mof
typlloon
Sept . 2)25 peak oreruplton
I