By Ma. Cristina Arayata
MANILA – Residents in communities surrounding Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon are urged to take precautionary measures as the volcano has been placed under Alert Level 1.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the volcano’s status to Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest) on Sunday due to an increase in some monitoring parameters such as seismicity and sulfur dioxide emission.
“We urge the public to take precautions and to prepare, especially those who are inside the permanent danger zone,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency in a Viber message on Monday.
People in the southeastern sector are also advised to be cautious, as there was a vent observed on that side of Bulusan Volcano about 10 years ago, he noted.
“There’s a possibility for localized phreatic eruption to occur on that side. Ashfall, ballistic fragments, and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are also possible,” Bacolcol said.
During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on Monday, he said there is always a possibility that a phreatic eruption could occur, even at Alert Level 0.
“But we cannot foretell when or how strong this could happen,” he pointed out.
Currently, a shallow hydrothermal activity is being observed at the volcano.
“We are monitoring if there would be more earthquakes and stronger earthquakes, if surface deformation would intensify, if there would be changes in its emission, and if there would be visible changes in the crater,” Bacolcol said.
He reiterated that entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone should be strictly prohibited.
Those around the volcano should watch out for ashfall and possible sediment flows, Bacolcol added. (PNA)
