Alert status of Bulusan Volcano raised to level 1

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday raised the alert status of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province to level 1, which signals an abnormal status, following the increase in its volcanic activity since last week.

In its volcano bulletin on Monday afternoon, Phivolcs said Bulusan’s monitoring network had recorded 53 volcanic earthquakes since July 3, including 43 low-frequency events that are associated with weak and shallow hydrothermal or magmatic gas activity within the edifice.

Phivolcs said this increased seismicity could be followed by phreatic eruptions at the summit crater or from flank vents on the upper to middle slopes.

—Jhesset O. Enano