ACTIVE PHILIPPINE VOLCANOES:


Taal volcano eruption is seen from SPACE as satellite catches the moment the Philippines mountain explodes sending a plume of ash and sulfur billowing into the atmosphereV

  • Japan's Himawari-8 satellite captured the  Taal volcano erupting
  • The volcano erupted January 12 and 13 and forced thousands to flee their homes
  • Animation shows the plume spreading over the course of two days The Taal volcano in the Philippines woke from a 43 year long slumber last week and a satellite captured the entire event from space.
The eruption was recorded by Japan's Himawari-8 satellite, which was animated an released by that shows the plume spread over the course of January 12 and 13.
The massive volcano sent ash nine miles into the air, which was followed by a gushing lava fountain that forced thousands to flee their homes.
Clouds of ash blew more than 60 miles north of the volcano, reaching Manila and shutting down the country's main airport with hundreds of flights cancelled.
There were no early reports of casualties but authorities were today scrambling to evacuate more than 6,000 villagers from the volcanic island in the middle of a lake which is usually a popular tourist spot.
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The Taal volcano in the Philippines woke from a 43 year long slumber last week and a satellite captured the entire event from space. The eruption was recorded by Japan's Himawari-8 satellite, which was animated an released by that shows the plume spread over the course of January 12 and 13
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The Taal volcano in the Philippines woke from a 43 year long slumber last week and a satellite captured the entire event from space. The eruption was recorded by Japan's Himawari-8 satellite, which was animated an released by that shows the plume spread over the course of January 12 and 13
The eruption began with an explosion of superheated steam and rock, but by early Monday 'fountains' of lava had been spotted on Taal, the volcano monitoring agency said.
'The plume is probably comprised mostly of water droplets,' said Simon Carn, a volcanologist at Michigan Tech. 'There may be some volcanic ash but in such 'wet' plumes volcanic ash can be difficult to detect as the ash particles are often covered by liquid water.'
The crater of the volcano, which lies in the middle of a picturesque lake, blasted into life with towering clouds of ash and jets of red-hot lava on Sunday, forcing those living around the mountain south of Manila to rush to safety.
There were no early reports of casualties but authorities were today scrambling to evacuate more than 6,000 villagers from the volcanic island in the middle of a lake which is usually a popular tourist spot.
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There were no early reports of casualties but authorities were today scrambling to evacuate more than 6,000 villagers from the volcanic island in the middle of a lake which is usually a popular tourist spot.
The Taal volcano is located in the Philippines just outside Manila
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The Taal volcano is located in the Philippines just outside Manila
The crater of the volcano, which lies in the middle of a picturesque lake, blasted into life with towering clouds of ash and jets of red-hot lava on Sunday, forcing those living around the mountain south of Manila to rush to safety
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The crater of the volcano, which lies in the middle of a picturesque lake, blasted into life with towering clouds of ash and jets of red-hot lava on Sunday, forcing those living around the mountain south of Manila to rush to safety
Clouds of volcanic ash blowing over Manila, 40 miles to the north, closed the country's main airport Sunday and part of Monday until the ash fall eased.
The alert level since the eruption began Sunday has been 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days.
Many people abandoned livestock and pets as well as homes full of belongings after authorities sounded an alert warning that an 'explosive eruption' could come imminently.
Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon said urged people to obey evacuation orders, saying the possibility of an explosive eruption was 'high'.
The alert level since the eruption began Sunday has been 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days
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The alert level since the eruption began Sunday has been 4, indicating a hazardous eruption is possible in hours to days
The Taal eruption has been putting on a stunning and terrifying display, with lightning crackling through its ash cloud in a poorly understood phenomenon that has been attributed to static electricity
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The Taal eruption has been putting on a stunning and terrifying display, with lightning crackling through its ash cloud in a poorly understood phenomenon that has been attributed to static electricity
'We urge people living in the danger zone to evacuate and follow evacuation orders issued by the authorities, he said.
'Bring your animals and livestock to evacuation centres if you must. The Philippine Red Cross is working round the clock to assess and meet the needs of affected communities.'
Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' - a zone of intense seismic activity.
The Taal eruption has been putting on a stunning and terrifying display, with lightning crackling through its ash cloud in a poorly understood phenomenon that has been attributed to static electricity.
Many people abandoned livestock and pets as well as homes full of belongings after authorities sounded an alert warning that an 'explosive eruption' could come imminently
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Many people abandoned livestock and pets as well as homes full of belongings after authorities sounded an alert warning that an 'explosive eruption' could come imminently
Pictured is a view of the volcano before it woke from its 43 year long slumber
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Pictured is a view of the volcano before it woke from its 43 year long slumber

Lava and ash rise, but routines of life remain

AP photographer Bullit Marquez has been chronicling in dazzling imagery the eruption of one of Asia's most picturesque volcanoes, Mount Mayon, which has displaced more than 78,000 villagers in the northeastern Philippines. For nearly two weeks, Mayon - famous for its near-perfect cone shape - has increasingly been gushing red-hot lava fountains, belching huge columns of ash and molten rocks into the sky and plunging outlying villages and cities in darkness due to the falling ash.
Entire villages within an 8-kilometer (5-mile) danger zone have been abandoned by residents, but police and army troops are stopping villagers worried about their homes and farm animals and keeping tourists from venturing closer to photograph what some call a "beautiful disaster."
Many residents are accustomed to Mayon's fury and go about their lives normally. Shopping malls, coffee shops and restaurants in the provincial capital, Legazpi city, buzzed day and night. Marquez photographed a farmer tending his field in Camalig town as two rainbows appeared in the backdrop of the cloud-shrouded volcano.
In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews ash as it erupts behind Legazpi city, Albay province, southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews ash as it erupts behind Legazpi city, Albay province, southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, pyroclastic materials cascade down the slopes of the Mayon volcano as it erupts behind Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, pyroclastic materials cascade down the slopes of the Mayon volcano as it erupts behind Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano erupts for the second straight day outside Legazpi city, Albay province, southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano erupts for the second straight day outside Legazpi city, Albay province, southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
A farmer tills his field as two rainbows appear while Mayon volcano erupts anew as seen from Camalig township, Legazpi city, Albay province, southeast of Manila, Philippines Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. More lava was spilling from a Philippine volcano also sending up columns of ash over farmland and towns already coated in gray after a nearly two-week eruption. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
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A farmer tills his field as two rainbows appear while Mayon volcano erupts anew as seen from Camalig township, Legazpi city, Albay province, southeast of Manila, Philippines Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. More lava was spilling from a Philippine volcano also sending up columns of ash over farmland and towns already coated in gray after a nearly two-week eruption. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, a fisherman unloads gear during a mild eruption of the Mayon volcano at sunrise, outside Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 340 kilometers (200 miles), southeast of Manila, Philippines.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, a fisherman unloads gear during a mild eruption of the Mayon volcano at sunrise, outside Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 340 kilometers (200 miles), southeast of Manila, Philippines.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews red-hot lava in another eruption as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews red-hot lava in another eruption as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, farmers tend to their crops during a mild eruption of the Mayon volcano at sunrise outside Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 340 kilometers (200 miles), southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, farmers tend to their crops during a mild eruption of the Mayon volcano at sunrise outside Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 340 kilometers (200 miles), southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews molten lava during its sporadic eruption early as seen from a village in Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews molten lava during its sporadic eruption early as seen from a village in Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, a rafter of turkeys searches for food amidst an erupting Mayon volcano as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, a rafter of turkeys searches for food amidst an erupting Mayon volcano as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews red-hot lava in another eruption as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 200 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews red-hot lava in another eruption as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 200 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, a public transport driver pauses to look at the erupting Mayon volcano behind a village in Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, a public transport driver pauses to look at the erupting Mayon volcano behind a village in Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano continues to erupt as the sun sets behind Legazpi city, in Albay province, roughly 340 kilometers, (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano continues to erupt as the sun sets behind Legazpi city, in Albay province, roughly 340 kilometers, (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, residents watch as Mayon volcano erupts anew as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, residents watch as Mayon volcano erupts anew as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews red-hot lava in another eruption as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 200 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews red-hot lava in another eruption as seen from Legazpi city, Albay province, roughly 200 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews molten lava during its sporadic eruption in the early morning outside Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano spews molten lava during its sporadic eruption in the early morning outside Legazpi city, Albay province, around 340 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
In this Thursday, Jan. 26, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano erupts anew at sunset in Albay province around 200 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)
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In this Thursday, Jan. 26, 2018, file photo, the Mayon volcano erupts anew at sunset in Albay province around 200 miles (340 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File)