Above: Mayon volcano, Philippines: a wonder to wonder at.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines has been urging local supporters to nominate Mayon volcano as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World (she must be referring to the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’), according to a report in the Philippines Inquirer today. Mayon, famed for the perfection of its conical shape and its very high level of activity, is situated in Bicol region in the province of Albay, an area which the Philippine Government is keen to develop for tourism. A local Wonder of the World, even a potentially rather dangerous one, could draw in the crowds.

The market in Wonders of all kinds has been cornered by New7Wonders.com. You can participate in the scrupulously fair and thoroughly representative voting procedure via their web site, once you’ve registered. As of 6 May 2008, 10:00 GMT, the top-ranking volcano on the list of nominees is Fuji, at no. 6. Kilimanjaro is at 45, but otherwise there’s a distinct lack of volcanoes. Volcanophiles who do not consider the entire exercise spurious and futile should probably get busy with their nominations and votes.