Philippines Volcano: Authorities prepare for prolonged emergency
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The Philippines is bracing for a possible three-month-long emergency in areas around an erupting volcano, which has already displaced more than 81-thousand people and caused overcrowding at temporary shelters. Mount Mayon remains at alert level four, a notch below the highest level. The radius of the "no go" zone around the volcano has expanded to nine kilometers and at least 17 schools are closed. Despite the warnings, some residents have refused to abandon the danger zone, with farmers worried about leaving crops and cattle unattended. In its nearly two weeks of erupting, Mount Mayon in the northeastern province of Albay may have ejected roughly 30 percent of its magma. Its swollen sides indicate more molten material may have risen near the crater ahead of a potentially more powerful blast.