'Bulusan unrest can't trigger eruptions of other volcanoes'

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday said the current restiveness of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon could not trigger eruptions of other volcanoes, specifically Mt. Mayon, which is also located in the Bicol region.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum, however, did not rule out the possibility that the two volcanoes could erupt at the same time because they are both “active” volcanoes.

Bulusan is about 70 kilometers away from Mayon, the country’s most active volcano.

“The two volcanoes are not physically connected and the reason why sometimes they erupt at the same time is that they are both active and erupt from time to time,” Solidum told The STAR in a text message.

In 2006, Mayon, Bulusan and Kanlaon volcano in Negros erupted, he said.

“These volcanoes are not connected physically and it (eruption) is just coincidental,” he said.

“There is always the possibility that two volcanoes can erupt at the same time if both are active,” he added.

Phivolcs supervising science research specialist July Sabit said only one volcanic earthquake was detected at Bulusan during the past 24 hours.

Sabit also said “weak to no steaming activity” was observed during the period.

Phivolcs has maintained alert level 1 at Bulusan, which means that the volcano is still in an abnormal state.

Sabit reminded the public to stay away from the four-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcano as sudden steam explosions may occur.

Phivolcs also warned residents living near valleys and along streams near the volcano against sudden sediment-laden flows, especially during heavy rainfall.

Crispulo Diolata Jr., head of the Phivolcs monitoring station in Barangay Cabidan-an, about five kilometers from the foot of Bulusan, said there have been intermittent rains over the volcano, which has spewed ash five times since Nov. 6.

Diolata said ash deposits have been confined mainly at the southwest sector, based on an aerial survey, and rainfall could trigger lahar and threaten Barangay Cogon in Irosin town.

Solidum earlier said Mayon has been showing signs of unrest, with its crater glowing.

He said low-frequency earthquakes were another indicator of Mayon’s “progressive unrest.” – With Celso Amo