Bulusan may erupt anew – Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines - Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon is likely to erupt again, state seismologists said yesterday.

In an advisory issued at 3 a.m., the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it monitored an increasing seismic activity at the volcano, considered one of the most active in the country.

Phivolcs said 172 volcanic earthquakes were recorded since Friday.

“The increased seismic activity may be precursory to minor steam-driven or phreatic eruptions that may occur at the currently active west-northwest, northwest, southeast, southwest or summit vents, based on the past behavior of the volcano,” the agency said.

“Weak emission of white steam plumes from the southeast vent was observed when the summit was visible,” it added.

The volcano remains under Alert Level 1 or abnormal status, indicating hydrothermal processes that may result in steam-driven eruptions.

Entry to the four-kilometer permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited. Pilots were warned against flying close to the summit.

“People living within valleys and along river or stream channels… should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall,” Phivolcs said.