Mt. Bulusan eruption not imminent – Phivolcs chief

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has allayed fears that a major eruption in Mt. Bulusan is imminent following the steam-driven explosion that happened on Friday morning.

“It is a common volcanic activity in Mt. Bulusan,” Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said, referring to the five-minute phreatic eruption that sent ash plume as high as two kilometers.

Solidum explained that the recent activity – caused by the conversion of ground water to steam – is common in the volcano considered as among the most active in the country.

Phivolcs retained the volcano’s status at abnormal (Alert 1), which warns the public that such occurrences may happen. Hydrothermal processes are ongoing beneath the volcano that may lead further steam-driven eruptions.

Solidum said current observations of the volcano’s activity do not indicate the need to raise the alert status, and Phivolcs will immediately alert the public if changes will be implemented. – Janvic Mateo, Celso Amo