Bulusan volcano remains on alert level 1 after ashfall

Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon remains under Alert Level 1 following multiple phreatic eruptions, with the latest occurring on Tuesday evening, April 29.

The 77-minute eruption produced an ash plume that caused ashfall in several barangays in Irosin, Juban, and Bulan.

In Irosin, 65 families or 211 individuals from Barangays Cogon and Monbon were evacuated to Gallanosa National High School and a designated shelter due to health concerns linked to ash exposure.

During the first phreatic eruption on Monday, six residents from Barangay Cogon in Irosin and 276 residents from Barangay Puting Sapa in Juban were also evacuated but allowed to return home on Tuesday afternoon.

Phivolcs observed significant sulfur dioxide emissions, averaging 548 tonnes per day, and recorded 54 volcanic earthquakes in the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday evening.

Ashfall up to one centimeter thick was reported in multiple barangays in Irosin and Bulan, with traces observed in Juban, affecting thousands of residents across 65 villages in eight Sorsogon towns.

Phivolcs warned that increased sulfur dioxide emission suggests magma is near the surface, indicating a higher chance of another phreatic eruption.

Entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone and the two-kilometer extended danger zone within Bulusan's southeastern region is strictly prohibited.