Philippines volcano

In the Albay region of Luzon island, northern Philippines, the Mt. Mayon volcano continues to erupt. Having gradually dropped to Alert Level 1 in 2006, it showed signs of activity in July 2009 and by December, again at Alert Level 4, was spewing ash clouds and 200-meter-high lava fountains.

The government extended the Permanent Danger Zone to an eight-kilometer radius south of the mountain and seven kilometers north. As of Dec. 22, about 45,000 people were evacuated from the region. The eruptions can be safely viewed from Legazpi City.