Page 216 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcano Tourism in the Philippines 193

Figure 13.4 Mt Mayon in Bikol Province, Philippines is one of the most symmetrical volcanoes currently known

ultramafics. Petrographic and major element data destructive eruption occurred in 1897 and the

indicate that Mayon has produced a basaltic to latest was in June 2001. During an eruption in

andesitic lava seriesby fractional crystallization and 1993 77 people were killed by Mayon’s pyroclastic
magma mixing. Trace element data indicate that flows. In spite of these facts Mt Mayon is still loved

the parental basalts came from a heterogeneous by the Albayanos who regard it as their fountain of
mantle source. The unmodified composition of strength and persistence.
the mantle wedge is similar to that beneath the Every year in May the ‘On to Mayon’ conquest

Indian Ocean. To this mantle was added a expedition is undertaken and sponsored by the
subduction component consisting of melt from Department of Tourism (DOT). Reaching the
subducted pelagic sediment and aqueous fluid summit will take two days and one night with a

dehydrated from the subducted basaltic crust stop over at different designated camp sites. As a
(Castillo and Newhall, 2004). result, the climb to Mt Mayon is in turn famous
Although its first recorded activity was in among local and foreign mountaineers. Since it is
AD1616, Mayon has probably been erupting since very tricky to find the right gully for the access to
the Pliocene and has continued to erupt Mt Mayon, it is recommended to hire a guide for
intermittently up to the present. A heavy volcanic this trip. The area around Mayon is abundant with
eruption with pyroclastic flows occurred in varieties of rare and endangered flora, some of
February 1814, caused severe destruction, bringing which were listed in the Convention of
the town of Cagsawa to complete ruin and International Trade of Endangered Species. To
submersing it in mud, boulders and ash. Another preserve this variety of fauna and flora is one of

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