Bulusan volcano erupts anew, emits 2-km-high ash column

Mount Bulusan seen from above (Photo: Wikipedia/Phivolcs)

LEGAZPI CITY – Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon erupted again at 11:35 a.m. Friday, spewing a two-kilometer column of ash and other pyroclastic materials.

Dr. Eduardo Laguerta, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology-Legazpi resident volcanologist, said it was a phreatic-type explosion, the ninth since it showed renewed activity last year, with its last activity recorded by Phivolcs on February 22.

A huge volume of emitted materials fell at the northwest portion of the volcano, particularly on the towns of Juban, Casiguran and several villages of Irosin town.

Laguerta said the heat and pressure of the volcano amassed at the upper portion of Mt. Bulusan, causing the phreatic-type explosion.

After this episode, the tendency for the volcano is to rest for several days, weeks and even months before it explodes again, the veteran volcanologist said.

With the present activity of the volcano, he said, it will not be like Mt. Mayon here which has had powerful explosions.

Laguerta said Mt. Bulusan had its strongest explosion in 1922.

He warned residents around the volcano to be extra careful, avoid entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone and use face masks to avoid inhaling ash.