The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) update reported 29 volcanic earthquakes in Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon over the last 24 hours.
The phreatic eruption recorded at 10:37 a.m. on Sunday lasted 17 minutes, according to PHIVOLCS’ 5 a.m. volcanic bulletin.
According to PHIVOLCS, the plume from Bulusan Volcano’s crater reached up to 150 meters in height before drifting northwest.
It further stated that the volcano edifice had been exaggerated.
Over Bulusan Volcano, the alert level remained at 1.
The PHIVOLCS barred entrance into the four-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and into the Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) without vigilance (EDZ).
Renato Solidum Jr., PHIVOLCS Director and Science Undersecretary, announced on Monday that the hazard zone in Bulusan has been expanded by two kilometers.
“Nagdagdag tayo ng dalawang kilometro sa southeast sector EDZ kasi doon sa side na ‘yun may mga bitak din ng mga nakaraang eruption na nagkaroon din ng pagsabog doon,” Solidum told GMA News’ Unang Balita.
(We added two kilometers EDZ in the southeast sector because there are also fissures on that side where explosions had occurred during the previous eruptions.)
Mount Bulusan update as of June 6
Solidum also stated that “steam” is coming from the volcano’s northwest vent, which could result in an explosion.
Yesterday, thin fine ashfall fell on the general northwestern sector of the edifice and affected the barangays of Puting Sapa, Añog, Guruyan, Catanusan, Buraburan, Bacolod, and Sangkayon in Juban and Bolos in Irosin, Sorsogon Province. Rumbling sound and sulfurous odor were also observed by residents of Brgys. Añog, Guruyan, and Catanusan.
After the Mount Bulusan eruption, degassing was observed from the crater and, for the first time this year, from the northwest summit vent. A total of 27 weak volcanic earthquakes were recorded until 4:00 PM today by the Bulusan Volcano Network.