In a brief steam-driven on Sunday, a volcano southeast of the Philippine capital ejected ash & stream about a kilometer into the sky, scattering ash in adjacent communities and scaring inhabitants, officials said.
Following the 17-minute blast, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology & Seismology upped the warning level at Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon province but said there was no sign of an oncoming big eruption.
Bulusan: most active Volcano
Bulusan, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, has been displaying symptoms of discontent in recent years, with the ash and steam eruptions. Bulusan is currently in an abnormal state, according to the government volcanology institute, which advised residents to remain clear from just a 4-kilometer (2.4-mile) permanent risk zone around the volcano.
At least seven communities in and around the seaside town of Juban, just at foot of Bulusan, were devastated by ashfalls, prompting residents to stay inside and wear masks.
The warnings released
On ash- & mud-covered roadways, motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Officials said they were deciding whether or not to evacuate residents from ashfall-affected areas, particularly pregnant women, the elderly, and children.
Outside of the persistent risk zone, the volcanology center cautioned residents, particularly those on the volcano’s weak southeastern flank, to remain vigilant “due to the heightened possibility of abrupt and severe phreatic eruptions.”
During the rainy season, villagers residing in valleys .along rivers, and streams have been cautioned to be on the lookout for volcanic mudflows.
It was suggested that aircraft avoid flying too close to a volcano in Sorsogon, roughly 600 kilometers (373 miles) southeast of Manila.
The Philippine archipelago, which includes approximately 2 dozen active volcanoes, is located on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” a region prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
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