'Very weak to weak' steam-laden plumes observed at Mt. Bulusan
Published May 9, 2023 06:13 am
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observed “very weak to weak” emission of white steam-laden plumes from Mt. Bulusan’s active vents on Tuesday, May 9, but the active volcano in Sorsogon remains at Alert Level 0.
Although its current alert level stays, Phivolcs said that “volcanic gas activity within the edifice may potentially trigger steam-driven or phreatic eruption from any of the active vents.”
“Alert Level 0 (normal) is maintained over Bulusan Volcano but there are chances of steam-driven or phreatic eruptions occurring from the crater or summit area,” it said in an advisory issued at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
Mt. Bulusan (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
Phivolcs reminded the public and local government units concerned that entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, particularly near the vents on the south-southeastern slopes, should be avoided due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruption, rockfall, and landslide. “Since May 7, 2023, the Bulusan Volcano Network has recorded a total of 17 volcanic earthquakes that occurred at depths of 0 to 5.2 kilometers beneath the eastern sector of Bulusan,” Phivolcs said. “These consisted of 11 volcano-tectonic earthquakes that are associated with rock-fracturing and six tornillo events associated with movement of volcanic gas, which altogether indicate volcanic gas activity is taking place beneath the edifice,” it added. Phivolcs also warned pilots not to fly near the volcano’s summit because ash from a sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. Furthermore, residents living in valleys and along river/stream channels were warned against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.
Mt. Bulusan (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
Phivolcs reminded the public and local government units concerned that entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, particularly near the vents on the south-southeastern slopes, should be avoided due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruption, rockfall, and landslide. “Since May 7, 2023, the Bulusan Volcano Network has recorded a total of 17 volcanic earthquakes that occurred at depths of 0 to 5.2 kilometers beneath the eastern sector of Bulusan,” Phivolcs said. “These consisted of 11 volcano-tectonic earthquakes that are associated with rock-fracturing and six tornillo events associated with movement of volcanic gas, which altogether indicate volcanic gas activity is taking place beneath the edifice,” it added. Phivolcs also warned pilots not to fly near the volcano’s summit because ash from a sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. Furthermore, residents living in valleys and along river/stream channels were warned against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.