Bulusan volcano still active after eruption

MANILA (AFP) - An erupting volcano in the eastern Philippines remains active two days after it shot a column of ash high into the air, volcanologists said Thursday.

"Moderate emission of white steam clouds from the active craters and fissures was observed," the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

However the number of minor earthquakes detected in the Bulusan volcano declined to only eight in the past 24 hours compared to 46 in the previous day, the institute added.

Another eruption could still take place and residents around the volcano were warned to beware of deadly volcanic mudflows that could cascade down Bulusan's slopes in the event of heavy rains.

The 1,559-metre (5,145-foot) tall volcano, located on the southeastern tip of the main island of Luzon, erupted on Tuesday morning with a burst of ash that shot six kilometres (four miles) above the crater.

There were no reports of casualties or damage but the ash showered nearby towns, raising fears that people's breathing could be affected.

Bulusan is one of the Philippines' 22 active volcanoes. It is known to have erupted 16 times previously, the last one being in early 2006.

Human settlements are banned within four kilometres (2.5 miles) of the crater.