by Roy Ramos
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
A restive volcano in the central Philippines spewed ash Sunday afternoon as an alert status remains in effect.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in an afternoon bulletin that Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon province produced a 1.5-kilometer-high grayish plume that drifted toward its west-southwest side.
The agency said Alert Level 1 – or “abnormal” status – remained over the volcano, meaning that hydrothermal processes beneath the peak could lead to more eruptions caused by steam.
It reminded local government units and residents of the prohibition on entering a 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone around Bulusan, due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous eruptions.
"Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft," the bulletin warned.
The agency – closely monitoring Bulusan’s activity – said people living within valleys and along rivers should remain alert against sediment-laden flows in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.
The volcano has been restive since last week, producing mild quakes and spewing ash.
Ranked as the Philippines’ fourth most active volcano, it had erupted 15 times over the last 30 years.
During its last eruption in July last year, volcanologists and seismologists recorded thirteen volcanic earthquakes, according to local media.
