Bulusan quakes up to 149 from 5 —PHIVOLCS

A total of 149 volcanic earthquakes were monitored in Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Friday.

This is higher compared to the five volcanic earthquakes recorded on Thursday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Friday, PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 1 is maintained over the volcano signifying low-level unrest.

The plume from the volcano's crater rose up to 100 meters tall then drifted northwest, according to PHIVOLCS.

On Thursday, the volcano emitted  824 tons of sulfur dioxide. Its edifice was also inflated.

PHIVOLCS is prohibiting entry into the four-kilometer-radius of the Permanent Danger Zone and entry without vigilance into the Extended Danger Zone. Flying any aircraft near the volcano is also not allowed.

Sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions may occur based on the volcano’s activity, PHIVOLCS warned.

Alert Level 1 was raised over Bulusan Volcano on Sunday following its phreatic eruption that resulted in ashfall that affected the municipalities of Juban, Casiguran, and Irosin.

On Thursday night, PHIVOLCS said another phreatic eruption may occur at following an increase in the volcano's seismic activity observed within the last 24 hours.

"Most of these (seismic activities) were weak and shallow events, but may indicate that a phreatic eruption could possibly occur within the next few hours," the agency said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News