Bulusan Volcano Eruption Blankets Sorsogon Barangays With Ashfall
At around 10:37 a.m. on Sunday, June 5, Bulusan Volcano erupted for the first time since 2017. The said eruption would last 17 minutes, prompting the province of Sorsogon to declare Alert Level 1 because of the low-level unrest.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) announced in a bulletin that the volcano had spewed a one-kilometer tall gray cloud that drifted west. This would lead to ashfall in areas like the municipalities of Juban and Casiguran in Sorsogon.
It was also reported that 77 volcanic earthquakes were recorded during the 24-hour period prior to the actual eruption. PHILVOCS had even observed “a sudden but isolated inflation" around the volcano's southeast lower slopes since April. "These parameters indicate that volcanic processes are underway beneath the edifice that are likely caused by shallow hydrothermal activity,” it added.
LOOK: 5 June 2022 10:37AM Bulusan eruption partially captured by real-time infrared camera at the Upper Slope (VBUS) Observation Station on the western flank. The summit was cloud-covered but gray ash could be seen blanketing the area and causing temporary blackout of the camera. pic.twitter.com/BhVQAmw2YT
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) June 5, 2022ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
When Bulusan Volcano had been downgraded to Alert Level 0 in 2021, PHILVOCS had said that potential phreatic eruptions could still occur.
Due to the said "increased possibilities of sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions," PHILVOCS reminded the public and local government units to refrain from entering the four-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone around Bulusan. Those who are within the two-kilometer extended danger zone have also been warned.
