These boulders in front of the National Museum are from Mayon’s most destructive eruption in history

The boulders are a haunting reminder that the Mayon Volcano can also be more terrible and devastative. 
Jul 21, 2023
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When you visit the National Museum of Natural History in Manila, you will be welcomed by a set of dark boulders, the largest of which weighs 60 tons. The imposing monuments are actually boulders spewed out by Mayon Volcano during its most destructive eruption over 200 years ago. Hauled all the way from Albay, the rocks now displayed at the museum are harrowing reminders of Mayon’s devastative power.

Boulders from the 1814 Mayon Volcano Eruption on display at the National Museum of Natural History

Boulders from the 1814 Mayon Volcano Eruption on display at the National Museum of Natural History

The 1814 Mayon Volcano Eruption

On the morning of February 1, 1814, residents of Albay, Bicol, were woken by a thunderous roar coming from Mayon. As they looked toward the volcano, terror engulfed them as the beautiful slopes of Mayon were filled with dark ashes swelling into the sky.

In 2013, historian Ambeth Ocampo shared an account of the eruption gathered from locals by German naturalist Fedon Jagor, who published the terrifying stories of the locals in his book, Reisen in den Philippinen (1873):

“At about 8 o’clock that morning, the volcano suddenly belched forth a thick column of rocks, sand and ashes which rapidly rose to a great height… the slopes of the volcano were covered and disappeared from our sight. A river of fire appeared below, threatening to engulf us. People fled in search of higher land. The darkness increased… the fugitives were subjected to falling rocks…. There was no security in the houses because the heated rocks caused fire. Thus were converted into ashes the richest towns of Camarines.

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“About 10 o’clock the rain of large stones ceased, substituted by a rain of sand; and (by) 1:30 the noise somewhat diminished and the sky began clearing up. The ground was covered with cadavers and the seriously wounded; in the church of Budiao were 200 persons and in a house of that same town were 35 people. Five towns of Camarines were completely destroyed and the major part of the villa of Albay. Some 12,000 people died, very many were seriously wounded, and those who survived lost all their property.

The volcano had a sad and horrendous aspect; its slopes previously so picturesque and cultivated, could be seen covered with sand; the blanket of rocks and sand had a thickness of from 10 to 12 yards. In the area where Budiao was located, the coconut trees were buried up to their crown…The most beautiful parts of Camarines, the most fertile regions of the province, had been converted into an arid desert of sand.”

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To this day, Mayon Volcano’s 1814 eruption remains the deadliest and most destructive in history. The event erased five towns and killed 12,000 people, according to Jagor. The ruins of Cagsawa, which is now a national cultural treasure, is the most prominent reminder of Mayon Volcano’s devastative power.

The National Museum of Natural History houses 12 permanent galleries that exhibit the rich biological and geological diversity of the Philippines. It is located at Agrifina Circle in Rizal Park, Manila. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.


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