Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon (File photo courtesy of Nonie Enolva)
LEGAZPI CITY – Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon had slowed down its seismic events, shaking only once on Tuesday, a drastic drop compared to 24 on May 31, and 89 five days ago, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday.
April Dominguiano, Phivolcs resident volcanologist at the Cabid-An monitoring station in Sorsogon City, in an interview said the simmering and fluctuating seismic events are indications that hydrothermal processes are going on inside the volcano's chamber.
She said they are closely monitoring Bulusan to find out whether its other abnormal parameters would intensify.
“Although volcanic earthquakes of this number are still within the Alert Level 1 status, we keep a close watch to other parameters to determine if the overall abnormal condition of Bulusan is now going down or merely fluctuating,” Dominguiano said.
Phivolcs noted that Bulusan’s upper surface and slopes remain inflated or bulging.
"And so far, I don’t see yet significant drop in Bulusan’s other abnormal parameters,” Dominguiano said, adding that the volcano’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions and ground deformation are still present.
However, she reiterated that no one should enter inside Bulusan’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) as the volcano could shift to a sudden eruption.
Based on Phivolcs bulletin on Wednesday, the Alert Level 1 status prevails over Bulusan Volcano, which means that it is currently in an abnormal condition
“Local officials and the public are reminded that entry into the four-kilometer radius PDZ must be strictly prohibited and that vigilance in the two-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast sector must be exercised due to the increased possibilities of sudden and hazardous phreatic eruptions,” the advisory said. (PNA)
