Restive Bulusan rocked by quakes

LEGAZPI CITY—Government volcanologists on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of a full-blown eruption of Mount Bulusan anytime soon despite indications of its restiveness.

What the volcano spewed on Tuesday was “old ash” and had no trace of magma, said Eduardo Laguerta, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

At least 23 volcanic quakes have rocked Bulusan in Sorsogon province since it ejected ash twice, indicating steam-driven pressures underneath it, Phivolcs said. This, however, was “typical behavior” following an explosion, Laguerta said, stressing that the phreatic or steam-driven explosions were not significant compared to past eruptions.

Small explosion

Even if the volcano belched a kilometer-high grayish steam and ash plume cloud, it was still considered a “small explosion,” he said.

Ash fall was reported on villages located on the upper slopes of Bulusan, such as Puting Sapa, Anlog, Bacolod, Buraburan, Mapili and Sangkayon, all in Juban town. It did not reach the highway, Laguerta said.

Classes in Juban and neighboring Irosin town were suspended on Tuesday but resumed on Wednesday.

Alert level 1

Alert level 1 remains in effect over Bulusan, meaning Bulusan’s 4-kilometer permanent danger zone remains off limits to any human activity. Laguerta said there was no need yet to raise the level.

Phivolcs will be conducting aerial and ground surveys to determine the gas output of the volcano.