Mayon, Bulusan under watch as rainy season starts

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines —  State seismologists are closely monitoring Mayon Volcano in Albay and Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon as the rainy season starts, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday.

Phivolcs said active stream or river channels and those identified as perennially lahar-prone areas in all sectors of the volcano should be avoided, especially during extreme weather conditions.

Data showed the volcanoes have been showing signs of abnormal activity in the past three days, including volcanic quakes, plume emission and ground inflation.

Phivolcs recorded four rockfall events and moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose as high as 750 meters above the Mayon crater yesterday.

It also detected slight inflation of the volcano’s base.

Mayon remains under alert Level 1, meaning it is at an abnormal condition.

Phivolcs also detected at least eight volcanic earthquakes around Bulusan Volcano in the past three days.

Bulusan was placed under alert Level 1 in July due to a series of volcanic quakes around it.

Phivolcs reminded people living within valleys and along rivers or streams to watch out for sediment-laden stream flows and lahars during heavy and extended rainfalls.