Mayon Volcano is the Philippines’ most active volcano and is famous for its near-perfect cone.
Mayon stands in Albay Province on Luzon Island and rises to about 2,463 metres. Its symmetrical profile was built by repeated layers of lava, ash, and other volcanic material, making it one of the world’s best-known examples of a stratovolcano.
The volcano has erupted repeatedly since the Spanish colonial period. Its most destructive historical eruption occurred in 1814, when lava and ash buried the town of Cagsawa and left the famous Cagsawa Church bell tower standing amid the ruins.
Its attractive shape does not indicate safety. Mayon’s steep slopes can produce lava flows, pyroclastic flows, lahars, and ashfall. Mount Pinatubo, by contrast, is better known for its huge 1991 eruption, while Mayon is distinguished by frequent activity and its exceptionally regular cone.