MANILA, Philippines — Six areas in Sorsogon have so far been affected by the latest ash fall from Bulusan Volcano, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Wednesday.
The episodes of steam-driven explosions at 3:30 p.m. and 3:43 p.m. last Tuesday produced grayish ash columns that reached heights of up to 1,000 meters.
Volcanologist July Sabit said the ash drifted southward affecting barangays Cogon, Tinampo, Monbon, Bolos and the town proper of Irosin town, and Sangkayon in Juban town.
These areas were located in the southwest and west-northwest sectors of Bulusan Volcano.
Phivolcs noted that sulfur dioxide emission measured last Tuesday yielded a value of 168 tons per day.
“The sulfur dioxide emission of Mt. Bulusan is still under the normal level of 500 tons per day,” Sabit said.
“Prior to the explosions, the seismic network detected two unfelt volcanic earthquakes, while steaming activity varied from very weak to moderate,” he added.
Phivolcs maintained that the explosions are typical of Bulusan Volcano’s activity during its restive period, but it expects more explosions to occur in view of the volcano’s recent reactivation.
Alert Level 1 has been raised, which means that the public is not allowed to enter the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
“The public is strongly advised not to venture inside this area because it may be affected by sudden steam explosions,” Phivolcs said.
