Pumice stones, volcanic debris found along Batanes shoreline

Pumice stones and volcanic debris were found along the shoreline of Batanes. (Photo courtesy of PDRRMO-Batanes)

TUGUEGARAO CITY––Pumice stones and volcanic debris believed to have originated from an underwater volcano in Japan were found along the shoreline of Batanes province, officials said Wednesday, Nov. 24.

In a statement, Cesar Roldan Esdicul, Batanes provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, said the volcanic materials were washed onto the Sitio Maydangeb shores in Ivana town.

The materials were discovered Sunday in the coves of the Batan and Sabtang islands.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said ocean currents carried the volcanic materials from Fukutoku-Okanoba Volcano that erupted in August to the shores of Batanes. The volcano is 2,000 kilometers from the northeastern portion of Batanes and Aparri in Cagayan.

The light-colored pumice is a volcanic rock made of highly vesicular rough-textured volcanic glass.

But Phivolcs said pumice stones could damage passing boats and marine biodiversity.

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