Philippine volcanologists Sunday warned nearly 50,000 displaced people against returning to their homes at the foot of an erupting volcano, amid a brief slowdown in activity, dpa reported. Mayon Volcano in Albay province, 360 kilometres south-east of Manila, has been erupting since December 14, forcing 47,563 residents to flee their homes. The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Mayon was rocked by nine ash explosions, some reaching as high as 1 kilometre above the crater, Sunday morning. While volcanic earthquakes and sulfur dioxide emissions went down overnight, the institute said magma was still building up in Mayon as its cone "remained inflated." "Stronger explosions can still happen," said Renato Solidum, the institute"s director. "A hazardous eruption is still possible so people should stay away from the danger zones. "The current activity of the volcano is already dangerous as lava fragments are now being thrown out of the crater and these would roll down the slopes," he said. The lull in Mayon"s activity had prompted some residents to wonder if they could spend New Year"s celebrations in their homes. The displaced residents spent Christmas Day in cramped and dirty evacuation centres, but authorities and volunteers brought food and other treats for the evacuees. Police officers played Santa Claus to the children, while soldiers held a concert on Christmas Eve. The 2,472-metre volcano, famous for its nearly symmetrical cone, has erupted about 50 times since 1616. It last erupted in July 2006, forcing more than 30,000 people to flee their homes. Mayon"s most violent eruption was in 1814, when more than 1,200 people were killed and a town was buried in volcanic mud. An eruption in 1993 killed 79 people.
