MT. BULUSAN'S SEISMIC ACTIVITIES CONTINUE -- PHIVOLCS

LEGAZPI CITY -- Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon continued to show signs of increasing volcanic activities on Sunday, recording explosion-type quakes and belching a 200-meter high white steam clouds above the crater rim, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Volcanologists, however, said there was no visual observation of the ash explosions as thick clouds covered the volcano’s summit since Saturday afternoon up to Sunday morning.

Phivolcs seismic instruments recorded 10 volcanic quakes and four ash explosion-type events taking place during the past 24 hours.

Field investigations by Phivolcs showed that despite the strong emission of white steam clouds, there were no traces of ash falls in areas surrounding the volcano.

Alert level 1 remains in effect, as Phivolcs reiterates its warning to the public to keep-out of the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) as sudden hazardous explosions are likely to affect the area.

Residents living beyond the PDZ that are downwind of the crater are likely to be affected by ash falls during explosions, while residents living near river channels around the volcano are warned against volcanic mudflows during heavy rains.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) said they advised the provincial and five town disaster councils affected by Mt. Bulusan's increasing restlessness to be on heightened alert for any eventualities.

PDRRMC Sorsogon has been advised to revisit their contingency plan in case the alert level is further raised.

Possible areas to be affected once the volcano goes on full eruptions are the towns of Juban, Irosin, Casiguran, Gubat, Barcelona and Busulan covering around 70 barangays.(PNA Bicol/PIA/mal)