'Sulfurous' bubbles in sea reported during Zambales beach collapse

The sea water turned brown and "emitted fine gas bubbles with sulfurous odor" when a portion of Puerta del Mar beach in Candelaria, Zambales collapsed Saturday afternoon, according to reports that have reached the Manila office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

According to MGB Director Leo Jasareno on Monday, this could have been the release of methane trapped between underwater limestone deposits that have eroded.

Jasareno added that this is not likely to affect the area's water supply and that for now there is no need to evacuate residents.

An eight-man team of geologists from the MGB is already in the area to investigate the phenomenon and determine the cause of the beach slump, which involved 80 to 100 meters of the shoreline collapsing two meters deep.

The MGB team is also studying rock formations along the beach and checking if nearby areas are also susceptible to collapse.

Jasareno said it will take three days for the team to conclude the investigation.

On Sunday, Jasareno said that the collapse was a natural phenomenon and speculated it may have been caused by soil erosion brought on by the strength of the tidal waves or the presence of a sinkhole.

The army has secured the beach and swimming there is currently prohibited. — BM, GMA News

Photo courtesy of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau