Following the 1984 eruption at Mayon Volcano in the Phillipines and issuance of primary volcanic debris flows (lahars), secondary flows have occurred during the monsoon seasons. Such secondary lahars are not well understood and have not been catalogued on a world-wide basis. In addition to their association with stratovolcanoes, laharic accumulations have been observed where volcanic edifices no longer exist and abound throughout the Holocene and Pleistocine periods. Following a pilot effort funded last year, the project now includes a detailed study of active lahars and their erosional, depositional effects following intense periods of rainfall. The Mayon site offers an excellent site for gaining new information on lahars impacting our ability to protect ongoing geologic hazards related to mass movement as well as interpreting past geologic events.
