Bulusan volcano showing signs of activity anew

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province is showing signs of activity again after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) detected eight volcanic tectonic earthquakes here since August 1, 2023.

In a bulletin released by Phivolcs on August 1 at 3:00PM, at least eight volcano-tectonic earthquakes were detected by the Bulusan Volcano Network (BVN) from 09:08 AM to 10:46 AM today, 1 August 2023.

The strongest of these quakes were recorded at magnitudes of ML0.7- ML2.0 which occurred between 4 to 7 kilometers deep beneath the southern sector of Bulusan Volcano.

Phivolcs said the noticed changes in the condition of the volcano may progress into further unrest and potentially trigger steam-driven or phreatic eruptions from any of its active vents, the Phivolcs.

Despite the ongoing activity of Mount Bulusan, alert level 0 (Normal) is maintained in areas surrounding the volcano but there are chances of steam-driven or phreatic eruptions occurring from the summit crater and lateral vents, Phivolcs said.

Should current monitoring parameters persist, the status of Bulusan may be raised to Alert Level 1, Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs told the local government units and the public not to venture within the 4-km radius PDZ.

“Local government units and the public are reminded that entry to the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) particularly near the vents on the south-south-eastern slopes, should be avoided due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruption, rock fall, and landslide,” Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs said that the civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption may emit and can be hazardous to aircraft.

While people living within valleys and along river/stream channels should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Due to this, the DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Bulusan Volcano’s condition aside from the restive Mayon Volcano in Albay.