SORSOGON CITY, May 3 (PIA) – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has reminded local governments to bar the public entry or any human activity within the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around Bulusan Volcano due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.
Mount Bulusan produced steam and ash explosion on May 1, 2015 at 8:09 AM which lasted for 5 minutes based on seismic records. The explosion distributed traces of ash in the areas west-northwest of the volcano affecting the barangays of Bolos, Cogon, Gulang-gulang, Sankayon, Tinampo and Umagom in Irosin town and barangay Puting Sapa in Juban, Sorsogon.
During the emergency meeting on Bulusan Volcano Risk Assessment and Preparation conducted yesterday afternoon, Phivolcs Bicol Region Chief Ed Laguerta said that Mount Bulusan is under instrumental observation and that they are closely monitoring its activities.
Based on the instrument’s record, following the explosion on Friday, Mt. Bulusan is at the moment quiet and has not shown any alarming activity, however, they are still on close monitoring of the possible changes in the behavior of the mountain.
“We are closely monitoring possible changes in the character of Mt. Bulusan, and while northeast monsoon wind prevails, we are focused on the west side. Most likely to be affected are Brgy Cogon in Irosin and Bacolod and Puting Sapa in Juban town,” said Mr. Laguerta.
He said Alert Level 0 status currently prevails over Bulusan Volcano, but Phivolcs strongly advised a non-entry to the 4-km PDZ and that 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.
Mr. Laguerta further cautioned the residents especially those with asthma on exposure to the spewed ashes of the mountain because of its silica component. “About 53-54 percent silica composed the ash of Mt. Bulusan,” he added.
He likewise advised the civil aviation authorities to also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejection from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
Meanwhile, Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee had also conducted rounds in affected areas to check on the conditions or residents and on the preparations made by the respective LGUs.
Tourism activities in Mt. Bulusan, Orok Spring and Anog Cold Spring have been terminated already to avoid untoward incident due to the volcano’s restiveness. Orok Spring and Anog Cold Spring are both located within the 4-km PDZ, while it would be hazardous to climb Mt. Bulusan due to possible threat of ejected materials from the volcano.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Atty. Arnaldo Escober also advised LGUs to make an inventory of resources and make sure that necessary preparations are in place. He likewise said that all measures must be undertaken to ensure that the 4-km PDZ are cleared of any human activities.
Provincial Government Department Head of the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (SPDRRMO) Raden Dimaano assured that his counterparts in the local level have been given due advise including members of the DRRM council and that contingency plans must be reviewed at once.
The last recorded activity of Mount Bulusan was on February 21, 2011. (MAL/BAR-PIA5/Sorsogon)
Mount Bulusan produced steam and ash explosion on May 1, 2015 at 8:09 AM which lasted for 5 minutes based on seismic records. The explosion distributed traces of ash in the areas west-northwest of the volcano affecting the barangays of Bolos, Cogon, Gulang-gulang, Sankayon, Tinampo and Umagom in Irosin town and barangay Puting Sapa in Juban, Sorsogon.
During the emergency meeting on Bulusan Volcano Risk Assessment and Preparation conducted yesterday afternoon, Phivolcs Bicol Region Chief Ed Laguerta said that Mount Bulusan is under instrumental observation and that they are closely monitoring its activities.
Based on the instrument’s record, following the explosion on Friday, Mt. Bulusan is at the moment quiet and has not shown any alarming activity, however, they are still on close monitoring of the possible changes in the behavior of the mountain.
“We are closely monitoring possible changes in the character of Mt. Bulusan, and while northeast monsoon wind prevails, we are focused on the west side. Most likely to be affected are Brgy Cogon in Irosin and Bacolod and Puting Sapa in Juban town,” said Mr. Laguerta.
He said Alert Level 0 status currently prevails over Bulusan Volcano, but Phivolcs strongly advised a non-entry to the 4-km PDZ and that 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.
Mr. Laguerta further cautioned the residents especially those with asthma on exposure to the spewed ashes of the mountain because of its silica component. “About 53-54 percent silica composed the ash of Mt. Bulusan,” he added.
He likewise advised the civil aviation authorities to also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejection from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.
Meanwhile, Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee had also conducted rounds in affected areas to check on the conditions or residents and on the preparations made by the respective LGUs.
Tourism activities in Mt. Bulusan, Orok Spring and Anog Cold Spring have been terminated already to avoid untoward incident due to the volcano’s restiveness. Orok Spring and Anog Cold Spring are both located within the 4-km PDZ, while it would be hazardous to climb Mt. Bulusan due to possible threat of ejected materials from the volcano.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Atty. Arnaldo Escober also advised LGUs to make an inventory of resources and make sure that necessary preparations are in place. He likewise said that all measures must be undertaken to ensure that the 4-km PDZ are cleared of any human activities.
Provincial Government Department Head of the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (SPDRRMO) Raden Dimaano assured that his counterparts in the local level have been given due advise including members of the DRRM council and that contingency plans must be reviewed at once.
The last recorded activity of Mount Bulusan was on February 21, 2011. (MAL/BAR-PIA5/Sorsogon)
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