Warnings of Steam-Driven Eruption at Bulusan Volcano
A report on warnings of steam-driven eruption at Bulusan volcano including geological background and safety measures.
Overview
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of a possibility of steam-driven eruptions at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province, on the southeastern tip of Luzon island. The institute said it has recorded 18 volcanic earthquakes "associated with rock fracturing" from 5 a.m. local time on Wednesday, five of which were detected with depths of 2.71 to 6.56 kilometers beneath the eastern sector of the volcano. The institute added that weak emission of white steam-laden plumes from the crater summit and active vents on the southeastern slopes could be observed. "These parameters are likely related to volcanic gas activity within the edifice and may potentially trigger steam-driven or phreatic eruption from any active vents," the institute said.
Geological Background
Bulusan Volcano is a stratovolcano on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is located in the province of Sorsogon in the Bicol Region, 70 kilometers southeast of Mayon Volcano and approximately 390 kilometers southeast of the Philippine capital of Manila. It was constructed along the rim of the 11-km-diameter dacitic-to-rhyolitic Irosin caldera, which was formed about 36,000 years ago.
Safety Measures
The institute warned people to stay away from a 4-kilometer radius danger zone. It further warned of the possibility of an eruption, rockfall, and landslide near the vents on the south-southeastern slopes. The institute also asked civil aviation authorities to advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.