DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the Philippines, where the picturesque Mayon Volcano in the eastern Philippines turned threatening. That was before dawn today. Mayon is famous for its perfectly-symmetrical cone, but it couldn't be seen today among the clouds of spewing ash, and officials warn a more powerful eruption could come at any time. Gordon Robinson has this report for CNN.</s>GORDON ROBINSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The foot of the Philippines' Mayon Volcano is now a no-man's land. Thousands of people were rousted from their beds just after midnight, Thursday, fleeing the shower of lava, ash and debris. The 2,400-meter volcano threw debris eight kilometers into the air. Earlier in the week, officials anticipated a mild eruption but now they're having to expand the danger zone.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As of now, we are -- we are suffering from ash fall here in (OFF-MIKE). That is why we are evacuating our residents in the (OFF-MIKE) in the (OFF-MIKE) that we can make (OFF- MIKE) in their places.</s>ROBINSON: People living on the southeastern side of the mountain are most vulnerable. Scientists say the lava is superheated to temperatures of about 900 degrees Celsius, hot enough, they say, to obliterate anything in its path. Mount Mayon is well-known to tourists and locals. Visitors admire its near-perfect cone shape. But residents are wary of a volcano that killed 1,200 people in an 1814 eruption. The volcano has been quiet since June of last year, but that mild eruption was nothing like this. Scientists say the explosions could last a matter of days, or, they say, this could go on for more than a week. Gordon Robinson, CNN.
Philippines' Mayon Volcano Erupts After Midnight, Sending People Fleeing