Philippines' Mayon Volcano erupts along Pacific Ring of Fire, sending massive ash plume into sky

LEGAZPI CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Philippines' Mayon Volcano erupted just before noon local time on Friday, spewing a massive ash plume nearly 10,000 feet into the sky.

The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is warning of lava flows and rockfalls in the coming days and weeks. The department recommended that a nearly 4-mile radius around the volcano be evacuated.

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Classes have been suspended in nearby Legazpi City, which is home to more than 200,000 people. The public is being asked to stay indoors as much as possible today and wear an N95 mask or face covering outside.

The National Museum of the Philippines says the Mayon volcano is the most active volcano in the country.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a 25,000-mile belt of volcanoes and earthquake zones surrounding much of the Pacific Ocean, where 90% of the world's earthquakes occur.