Philippine Volcano Erupts, Causing 56,000 To Flee

"Mount Mayon, the Philippines' most active volcano, erupted for eight minutes on Monday afternoon, spewing a 3-mile-tall column of debris and volcanic gas. It exploded at least five more times Monday night and Tuesday morning."

"'The lava fountains reached 500 meters to 700 meters [1,640 feet to 2,297 feet] high and generated ash plumes that reached 2.5 kilometers to 3 kilometers [1.6 miles to 1.9 miles] above the crater,' reported the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology."

"The institute said two 'explosion-type earthquakes' had occurred, as well as 18 tremor events — some of which sent forth fountains of lava. One of the lava flows advanced nearly 2 miles from the summit's crater."

"Authorities raised the volcano's alert level to 4 out of a possible 5, indicating "intense unrest" and the possibility of a hazardous eruption within days. The alert extends the danger zone around Mayon to approximately 5 miles."