Phivolcs checking Bulusan slope after reports of gas, steam emission

Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon (INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON/ MA. LOURDES GAUFO)

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) will send a team to Sorsogon province to inspect a vent on the slope of Mount Bulusan in Irosin town after residents reported that it emitted ash-laden steam and gas on Tuesday.

Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist here said, said the agency would conduct an aerial survey on Wednesday to validate and document the report issued by the Irosin municipal disaster risk reduction and management office (MDRRMO) which cited residents complaining about the foul smell from the gas emission from the volcano’s vent.

Laguerta, in a telephone interview, said health and environment officials would validate the report and document observations on the volcano’s slope and nearby communities.

“The documentation would determine and measure the volume of steam and gas emitted and check traces of ash in Barangay (village) Mapaso,” Laguerta said.

The vent is located 1,200 meters above sea level on the southeast flank of Mount Bulusan, some five kilometers from the Irosin town center.

A Phivolcs bulletin said at least 20 volcanic quakes were recorded on Mount Bulusan while a moderate emission of white steam plumes from the southeast vent was observed in the latest 24-hour observation period, from 8 a.m. Monday to 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Alert Level 1 (abnormal) remains in effect over the volcano. Phivolcs has warned residents not to venture inside the 4-km permanent danger zone (PDZ) due to the possibility of steam-driven (phreatic) eruptions.
SFM