Philippine Volcano May Erupt on Christmas

The Philippines' Mayon mountain has reached a level 3 volcanic alert, suggesting that "a full-blown eruption is expected to take place within weeks to days," according to the nation's Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. People in the Albay province—which is about 300 miles south of capital Manila—watched as orange lava oozed down the sides of Mayon, and plumes of ash shot into the sky. Authorities have mandated evacuations for towns and cities within 6 kilometers of Mayon, which means roughly 50,000 people will be displaced, likely through Christmas. Mayon has erupted 49 times since its first documented eruption, in 1616.