Bulusan spews ash for 2nd time in a week

Mt. Bulusan spewing ash. —ANDREW JOSEPH ZUNIGA/CONTRIBUTOR

LEGAZPI CITY—For the second time this week, Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon province spewed ash on Wednesday but government volcanologists said there is no cause for alarm.

A bulletin released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanolgy and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday said a minor phreatic (steam-driven) explosion occurred at 4:58 a.m. from vents on Bulusan’s southeastern upper slope. The explosion generated a kilometer-high ash column and lasted for nine minutes.

Crispulo Deolata, Phivolcs volcanologist based in Sorsogon, said ash from the explosion drifted toward villages near the volcano’s slopes in Bulusan and Irosin towns.

The steam-driven explosion came two days after a minor eruption in Bulusan on Monday. Wednesday’s event was the third this month.

Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist based in this city in Albay province, said this type of eruption has been a “normal occurrence” in Bulusan.

“What we are closely checking is the presence of fresh magma expelled by the volcano, indicating that magma is developing beneath the vent,” he said. —WITH A REPORT FROM REY ANTHONY OSTRIA