Increased volcanic activity seen at Bulusan but 'normal status' remains -PHIVOLCS

An increased activity has been observed at Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon but the status in the area remains under Alert Level 0 or “normal,” state volcanologists said Thursday.

In an advisory, PHIVOLCS documented 20 volcanic earthquakes in the Bulusan Volcano within the last 30 hours.

“A total of twenty (20) volcanic earthquakes which includes one (1) tornillo and three (3) low frequency events (LFVQs) were recorded within the last 30 hours by the Bulusan Volcano Network or BVN,” said PHIVOLCS.

PHIVOLCS, moreover, warned that there could be increased “chances of steam driven or phreatic eruptions” at the volcano despite placing it under “normal level.”

With this, it advised local government units to be vigilant and prohibit entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone of the volcano.

“Furthermore, people living within valleys and along river/stream channels especially on the southeast, southwest and northwest sector of the edifice should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall,” said PHIVOLCS. 

PHIVOLCS also observed “only very weak to weak emission of white steam-laden at the southeast vents” of the volcano.

Likewise, PHIVOLCS assured the public that it would continue to monitor and give updates on the activities of the volcano. -Cosuelo Marquez/MDM, GMA News