(Eagle News) — Bulusan volcano in Sorsogon had a “stream-driven explosion” at 11:35 a.m. today (Friday, June 10) which lasted for about five minutes according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The explosion produced a 2.0 kilometer high grayish ash plume that drifted towards the northwest.
Because of this, Phivolcs said Bulusan remains on Alert Level 1, meaning it is still in an abnormal state.
“This indicates that hydrothermal processes are underway beneath the volcano that may lead to more steam-driven eruptions,” the Phivolcs latest bulletin on Bulusan said.
The agency also reminded the local government units and the public to that “entry to the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.”
“Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” it said.
Phivolcs also warned people living within valleys and along river and stream channels, especially on the southwest and northwest sector of the volcano, to be vigilant against possible sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.
Phivolcs said it is “closely monitoring Bulusan Volcano’s condition and any new development will be relayed to all concerned.”
