‘THUNDER-LIKE’ Mt. Bulusan’s “thunder-like” explosion on Sunday morning sent hundreds of families scrambling to government shelters. Local officials appealed for drinking water, food and other basic necessities for the evacuees. —MARK ALVIC ESPLANA
MANILA, Philippines — Eleven volcanic earthquakes were recorded in Mt Bulusan, also known as Bulusan Volcano, in Sorsogon in the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.
“From the 11 volcanic earthquakes, only two were plottable. Meaning ‘yong two lang po na iyon (only these two) produced an energy strong enough to be plotted on the map,” Phivolcs science research analyst James Nobora told INQUIRER.net over the phone.
He added that the magnitude of these high-frequency volcanic earthquakes ranged from 0.2 to 1.7.
The plume from the volcano’s crater measured 200 meters tall, an increase compared to the 150 meters of plume previously recorded.
Phivolcs also noted that on Tuesday, the volcano released 1,421 tons of sulfur dioxide, and its edifice was still swollen.
“Ang sinu-suggest ng Phivolcs is to remember na entry sa four-kilometer radius of the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited. Mayroon pa tayong 2-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) na kailangan din pong maging vigilant ‘yong public sa pagpasok sa area na ito,” Nobora reminded.
(Phivolcs is reminding the public that entry within the four-km radius of the PDZ is strictly prohibited. The public should also remain vigilant when going into the two-km EDZ.)
Flying an aircraft close to Mt. Bulusan is likewise not allowed, Phivolcs added.
The agency also said phreatic eruptions may still occur in the volcano.
On Sunday morning, the Bulusan Volcano had a steam-driven explosion, affecting several villages from the municipalities of Juban, Casiguran, and Irosin in Sorsogon province.
Nearly 50 families or 180 individuals were evacuated by the local government units following the eruption.
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