Thousands of villagers evacuated from near the Philippines' most active volcano headed home today after scientists said the rumbling mountain was showing signs it was calming down. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology early today lowered a 5-stage alert over Mayon volcano from level 4 to 3, saying there was "less probability of a hazardous explosive eruption." Most of the 47,000 evacuees whose homes are within a 5-mile danger zone have been told it is safe to return home. Only about 5,000 whose homes are on the SE slope of the volcano and in the path of lava flows remained in shelters. The chief state volcanologist Renato said scientists were closely monitoring the volcano and will raise the alert in case of a resurgence of activity. "At the moment, the activity of the volcano is declining, but the volcanic unrest is still high," he said. The institute said in a statement that it noted "a declining trend in recent days in Mayon volcano's activity." Mayon, known for its perfect cone, has erupted nearly 40 times over 400 years, sending people packing for months at a time. The volcano is pictured above on New Years Eve, as a nearby village sets off fireworks to celebrate the arrival of 2010.
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