MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon province continues to show an increase in signs of volcanic eruption, according to seismologists on Tuesday, January 23.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported 118 volcano-tectonic earthquakes associated with rock fracturing, occurring at depths ranging from two to four kilometers, since midnight on Monday.
“Increased seismic activity and pressurization of the volcano edifice may indicate that hydrothermal processes may be occurring beneath the volcano and may lead to steam-driven eruptions at any of the summit vents,” PHIVOLCS said.
Furthermore, PHIVOLCS observed inflation on the southwestern and southeastern slopes of the volcano since February 2023, as indicated by ground deformation data from continuous GPS and electronic tilt monitoring.
In contrast, PHIVOLCS noted that degassing activity from the summit crater and active vents has been consistently weak to moderate during periods when the volcano summit is visible.
Taking into account these factors, the state volcanologist affirmed that Bulusan volcano is currently classified under Alert Level 1, indicating a low level of unrest.
Mount Bulusan, alternatively known as Bulusan Volcano, is a stratovolcano located on Luzon Island in the Philippines. Situated in the province of Sorsogon within the Bicol Region, it stands 70 kilometers southeast of Mayon Volcano and approximately 390 kilometers southeast of Manila.
On June 22, 2022, the Bulusan Volcano Network detected an eruption at 3:37 AM. The event, recorded seismically, lasted 18 minutes; however, the eruption plume was not visible on camera monitors, and people in the area were instructed to keep away from the volcano ground.
During its most recent eruption, Bulusan Volcano was placed under Alert Level 1, indicating abnormal conditions that caused anxiety among many residents in the vicinity. Many people evacuated, and the eruption caused significant destruction in the agricultural area of the said place.
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