Philippine authorities raised the alert status today of the country's most active volcano to level 4 and established an extended danger zone around it, saying an eruption is imminent. The status change at the Mayon volcano "means that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within days," according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Earlier today, the institute said the volcano continues to exhibit a high level of activity, adding that 222 volcanic quakes and tremors have been recorded in recent days. One was an explosion-type earthquake that launched a cloud of ash about 1640 feet into the air. The institute recommended extending already-established danger zones of nearly 5 miles S of the summit and 4.3 miles N of the summit.In addition, areas just outside of this extended danger zone should prepare for evacuation in the event explosive eruptions intensify, the institute said. More than 30,000 people fled their homes last week ahead of an expected eruption, and authorities were attempting to evacuate about 50,000 people living around the 8077-foot volcano. Mayon, located about 310 miles S of Manila, has erupted 49 times since its 1st documented eruption in 1616.
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