Philippine Bulusan volcano placed under alert

The Philippine government declared on Thursday Alert Level 1 or abnormal level for Bulusan Volcano in eastern province of Sorsogon.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology ( Phivolcs) said the volcano generated a steam-driven explosion from a vent on its northwest upper slopes that propelled an ash plume approximately 250 meters high before it drifted west.

"The explosion event lasted 3.5 minutes based on the seismic records," the agency said.

The raising of the volcano's alert level indicates that hydrothermal processes may be underway beneath the volcano that may lead to more steam-driven eruptions, Phivolcs said.

It reminded the local government units and the public not to enter the 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam driven or phreatic eruptions.

Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ash from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, Phivolcs added. Endi