From the ring of fire in South Pacific, sometimes it’s an underwater volcano that erupts

That’s what occurred in this aerial photo of an eruption of a volcano deep in the Pacific seabed, about 63 kilometers (39 miles) from Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga, a country in South Pacific.

The undersea eruption on March 18, 2009 was heralded by a strong earthquake that registered 7.9 nine in the Richter’s scale. A tsunami warning was raised, but luckily did not occur. Plumes of ash shoot up in the air destroying wildlife and plants in neighboring islands. (Photo Credit: AFP/ Matangi Tonga File/ Telusa Fotu) =0=

Earthquake in Legazpi City & Mayon Volcano’s possible eruption

A moderately strong earthquake which registered 6 in the Richter scale occurred in Legazpi City and Virac, Catanduanes on August 15, 2008. The quake whose epicenter is 42 kilometers northeast of Sorsogon, Bicol, was Intensity 5 in Sorsogon City and Irosin, Sorsogon; Intensity 3 in Naga City, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Roxas City; Masbate City; Catarman, Samar; and Intensity 2 in Palo, Leyte; Borongan, Eastern Samar; and Silay, Negros Occidental. No casualties or damages were reported. Philstar (08/15/08, Flores,H.)

Meanwhile restive Mayon Volcano in Albay, Philippines is showing signs of possible eruption; a pyroclastic flow can occur anytime. Ed Laguerta, Philvocs resident volcanologist said there is a build up of magma in the volcano. Part of the Pacific region’s “ring of fire,” Mayon has erupted more than 50 times since 1616, the last was in June to August 2006. Four months after the last eruption, about 1,000 people died when Tyhpoons Milenyo and Reming dislodged tons of volcanic debris that swept villages near the volcano.

In preparation for an emergency, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda instructed disaster officials not to allow people within 6 kilometer radius from the crater which spewed a 200-meter ash and showed intensified summit glow in the past weeks. Bicol Mail (08/15/08, Arguelles M; Barcia R.) =0=