29 volcanic quakes recorded in Bulusan Volcano in past 24 hours; Alert Level 1 remains

A total of 29 volcanic earthquakes have been monitored in Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Monday. 

In its 5 a.m. volcano bulletin, PHIVOLCS added that the phreatic eruption recorded at 10:37 a.m. on Sunday lasted for 17 minutes.

The plume from Bulusan Volcano's crater rose up to 150 meters tall then drifted northwest, according to PHIVOLCS.

The volcano edifice was also inflated, it added.

Alert Level 1 was still up over Bulusan Volcano.

PHIVOLCS prohibited entry into the four-kilometer-radius of the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and entry without vigilance into the Extended Danger Zone (EDZ).

PHIVOLCS Director and Science Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Monday said the danger zone in Bulusan has been extended to two more kilometers.

“Nagdagdag tayo ng dalawang kilometro sa southeast sector EDZ kasi doon sa side na ‘yun may mga bitak din ng mga nakaraang eruption na nagkaroon din ng pagsabog doon,” he said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

(We added two kilometers EDZ in the southeast sector because there are also fissures on that side where explosions had occurred during  the previous eruptions.)

Solidum added that there is also “steaming” from the northwest vent of the volcano where an explosion may also happen.

The municipalities of Juban, Casiguran, and Irosin were affected by ashfall from Bulusan Volcano, Solidum said.

Possible lahar flow

He also warned households near rivers of possible lahar in case of heavy rains.

“Yung mga bahay po na nasa gilid ng mga ilog, kapag maulan po ay puwedeng maanod ang mga abo na nadeposito sa gilid ng bulkan at magkaroon ng lahar kaya kailangan pag-ingatan din lalong-lalo na kung malakas ang ulan,” he said.

(Households near rivers need to be cautious as the ashes on the side of the volcano can drift and cause lahar especially during heavy rains.)

So far, Solidum said PHIVOLCS has not seen any reason to raise the status of Bulusan Volcano to Alert Level 2 as there is no magma seen rising from the volcano.

“Wala pa tayong nakikitang dahilan para i-akyat sa Alert Level 2 kung saan nangangahulugan na kapag Number 2 na ay merong magma na papaakyat o di kaya nagsu-supply ng gas para mag-trigger ng eruption ng Bulusan. So wala pa po tayong nakikitang ganun,” he said.

(We have not seen any reason to raise it to Alert Level 2 which means there is magma rising or supplying gas that can trigger an eruption of Bulusan. So we have not seen anything like that.)

According to PHIVOLCS, sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions are the possible hazards that may occur based on the volcano’s activity.

Solidum said temporary evacuation of affected residents would depend on the decision of local government units.

The Department of Health advised the public to stay indoors due to the ashfall from Bulusan Volcano. —KG/RSJ, GMA News