The Mount Mayon volcano in the Philippines is on the verge of eruption. The government has dispatched troops to enforce a no-go zone around the country’s most active volcano in the central coconut growing region.

The state volcanology agency says Mayon has been spewing ash and burning mud and rocks for about a week and is reaching a critical stage.
Renato Solidum, Director of the Philippine Institute
Volcanology and Seismology described the situation,
“The seismic activity is somewhat becoming more intense than previous days. Essentially the sulphur dioxide gas emission rate is still very high.”

Some 2,000 volcanic quakes have been recorded in recent days and lava fountains have shot debris 200 meters high.

The army has already helped evacuate some 50,000 people from the slopes of the volcano.

The Philippines lies on a belt of volcanos circling the Pacific Ocean known as the “Ring of Fire.”

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