Philippines: Alert raised as restive Mt. Bulusan spews smoke, kicks up earthquakes
Alert Level 1 raised over 3 Sorsogon towns as 11 earthquakes recorded
Manila: Residents surrounding an active volcano in Sorsogon province were on alert Wednesday, due to heightened volcanic activities at Mt. Bulusan.
Local volcanologists reported atleast 11 earthquakes in the area Wednesday. A warning in Filipino language about possible “phreatic explosions”, or steam bursts. Deformations or swelling on the mouth of the volcano and sulfur dioxide flux had been detected, indicating a potential for more volcanic activity.
Emergency workers in the province, about 515km south-east of the Philippine capital, had started to set up emergency shelters, deploy medical teams, and mobilise resources.
Evacuation centres
The provincial government said, a total of 71 evacuation centres are ready outside the 6-km “danger zone”. The province had a population of 828,655 in 2020, the latest for which data is available.
Firetrucks are on standby for areas susceptible to ashfall.
The alert level has now been raised over three towns:
The Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (SPDRRMC) has elevated its alert status to “standby” as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported heightened volcanic activities.
Mt Bulusan is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It last erupted on June 12, 2022.
The province had a population of 828,655 in 2020, the latest for which data is available.
Salvador Mendoza, Chief of the Sorsogon provincial information office, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that proactive measures are in place to ensure the safety of residents in case of heightened unrest.
Mt. Bulusan is currently under Alert Level 1, a level triggered by a “slight” increase in volcanic earthquake and steam/gas activity, sporadic explosions from the summit crater or new vents. It generally means “low level of volcanic unrest,” according to Phivolcs.
The potential for steam-driven or phreatic eruptions has increased, local volcanologists warned.
- Casiguran,
- Irosin, and
- Juban.
The provincial government, meanwhile, has directed the emergency workers (SPDRRMC) and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers from affected towns to get evacuation plans ready in case the need arises.
Permanent danger zone
Phivolcs reiterated the prohibition of entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, emphasizing the need for public and local government cooperation.