BULUSAN Volcano in Sorsogon province erupted on Monday, spewing an ash column that reached about 4,500 meters high, the local seismology agency said.
In a bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the phreatic eruption occurred at 4:36 a.m. and lasted for 24 minutes.
“The event produced a bent plume that rose 4,500 meters above the crater before drifting west to southwest,” it said.
Phivolcs raised Alert Level 1 over Bulusan Volcano, which showed a slight increase in volcanic earthquake and steam activity.
Sporadic explosions from existing or new vents and an increase in the temperature of hot springs may also be reported.
Phivolcs said a pyroclastic density current descended from the volcano’s peak and traveled within 3 kilometers from the summit.
Ashfall was reported in the villages of Cogon and Bolos in Irosin town; Puting Sapa, Guruyan and Buraburan, in Juban; and Tulatula Sur in Magallanes.
The agency said about 53 volcanic earthquakes were recorded 24 hours before the eruption.
“Rumbling sounds were reported by local government officials approximately 15 minutes before the eruption and were recorded by infrasound sensors,” it said.
Phivolcs called on local governments to bar people from entering the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone and 2-kilometer extended danger zone amid possible ballistic projectiles, rockfall, avalanches and ashfall.
“Communities that experience ashfall must take all necessary precautions and use protective masks or wet cloth to prevent ash inhalation,” it said.
The agency called on those living within valleys and along rivers to watch out for sediment-laden stream flows and lahar in case of heavy and prolonged rainfall.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a notice to airmen alerting pilots about the dangers of flying near Bulusan Volcano effective until April 29.
“Flight operators are advised to avoid flying near the volcano due to possible hazards from sudden explosive eruptions,” it said in a statement.
Election Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia in a statement said the eruption of Bulusan Volcano had not disrupted the province’s preparations for the May 12 midterm elections.
He said election officers had been ordered to formulate a contingency plan should volcanic activity escalates. They were also ordered to coordinate with local governments, Phivolcs and the Department of Education. — Adrian H. Halili
