Bulusan emits 3-km ash

22 February 2011

Mt. Bulusan emitted an ash column about 3-kilometer high early Monday. According to Eduardo Laguerta, resident volcanologist of Phivolcs, the Monday explosion was the highest ash column recorded since Nov. 6, 2010 which reached approximately 200 meters above the crater. Ashfall spread as far as Ticao and Masbate City in Masbate.

According to sources, the ash explosion lasted for about 19 minutes and much of its ashes drifted southwest affecting towns of Irosin and Bulan. Reports also say that rumblings are heard 10-km from Bulusan, in town of Juban.

In the latest NDRRMC bulletin, a total of 109,006 individuals are affected by the ash explosion in towns of Irosin, Juban, and Bulan. Meanwhile, no barangay in Bulusan municipality is affected since the ashfall drifted southwest. According to news, at least 2,000 people living around Bulusan volcano evacuated.

Classes are suspended in the three towns since most schools are used as evacuation centers.

Bulusan volcano’s status remains on Alert Level 1 and Phivolcs reiterates the 4-km Permanent Danger Zone.

Source: inquirer.net, NDRRMC Update, Phivolcs