About Mt. Mayon
Mt. Mayon is located in the Philippines, in the province of Albay. It is an active stratovolcano, that is known for its nearly perfect cone shape, which was formed by pyroclastic and lava flow. Mayon is also part of the Ring Of Fire. Being that it has violently erupted at least 49 times in the past 400 years, it is the most active volcano in the Philippines. Also, Mt. Mayon's frequent activity gives scientists a reason to study it. Mayon is on the eastern side of the island of Luzon, it is 808 feet above sea level which is about 1.5 miles. Mt. Mayon is next to the Philippine Trench which was formed when the Philippine Sea Plate subducted between the Philippine Mobile Belt, magma was forced through the breaches in the continental crust and came out through a volcano. Thus, Mount Mayon was formed.
The Legend Of Mt. Mayon
There are countless legends about Mt. Mayon and all of the center around a tragic romance. The name "Mayon" apparently came from "Daragang Magayon" meaning beautiful maiden. One legend tells the story of a woman, Daragang Magayon, who fell for an outsider named Panganoron, who saved her from drowning. It was said that a man called Paratuga kidnapped her father and as ransom demanded her hand in marriage. Daragang refused to marry his because he was an outsider, and she was afraid of what her fellow Bicolanos would think. She and her father were trying to help her find a way out of this dilemma. Panganoron heard about this and rounded up his tribe members to attack the Paratuga village. He arrived right when the wedding was being preformed. Daragang ran over to him but was hit by an arrow, and as Panganoron lifted her body he too was killed. The two lovers died. Daragang's father buried her with all of her possessions, and a week after this, Daragang's burial ground started to rise up from the ground. Astounding white clouds hovered over the mound as it rose higher. it is said that the eruptions of Mt. Mayon are caused by the angered spirit of Paratuga trying to retrieve the precious gifts that he gave Daragang, but he fails and only volcanic rocks and lava emerge. People also say that the clouds are the spirit of Panganoron, who weeps over the loss of his lover.
Eruption History
Mount Mayon has erupted at least 49 times over the past 400 years, the most deadly eruption occurred on February 1st, 1814. The 1814 eruption killed over 1,200 people. Mount Mayon's latest eruption was in 2010. The first known eruption of Mayon is said to have started on February 19th 1616 and stopped on February 23rd 1616. This eruption was an explosive central vent eruption with pyroclastic, mud, and lava flows. The latest eruption started on September 15th 2009 and ended on January 1st 2010. This eruption was an explosive central vent eruption with pyroclastic flows, and lava flows. That eruption also required evacuation.
