Bulusan quakes fluctuating

LEGAZPI CITY MANILA, Philippines — Seismic events generated by the Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon have fluctuated in the past three days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday.

Seismologists recorded 12 quakes around the volcano in the past 24 hours and 89 the other day – more than double the 35 quakes recorded three days ago.

The fluctuating seismic events indicated that hydrothermal processes were ongoing in the volcano’s chamber, according to April Dominguiano, Phivolcs resident volcanologist based at the Cabid-An monitoring station in Sorsogon City.

Dominguiano said they are monitoring Bulusan’s other abnormal parameters to see if these would intensify.

“Although volcanic earthquakes of this number are still within the Alert Level 1 status, we keep a close watch on other parameters to determine if the overall abnormal condition of Bulusan is turning worse,” Dominguiano said.

Phivolcs reported that the upper surface and upper slopes of Bulusan remain inflated or bulging.

“But so far, we don’t see yet significant increases in Bulusan’s other abnormal parameters,” she said, adding the volcano’s sulphur dioxide emissions and ground deformation are still within the Level 1 status.

Entry within Bulusan’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone remains prohibited due to the possibility of sudden eruption.

Bulusan’s alert level was raised from normal to abnormal after it generated over 150 volcanic earthquakes on May 12.