Phivolcs to Sorsogon residents: Avoid danger zone around Bulusan

After an ash explosion at Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon early Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reminded residents of the 4-km permanent danger zone (PDZ) around the volcano. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. also advised residents to protect themselves from ash fall by shielding their faces with handkerchiefs or towels. “Ang importante sumusunod ang ating mga kababayan sa 4-km permanent danger zone. Kahit walang masyadong nakikitang senyales ang ating mga instrument, o kahit mukhang normal ang binabantayang pag-akyat ng magma, minsan may pagsabog ng steam at ito ang dapat iwasan nila," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB. (The important thing is to observe the 4-km permanent danger zone. Even if there is no apparent volcanic activity, sometimes steam-driven explosions can occur and this is what people should look out for.) He said the steam-driven explosion was observed at 8:10 a.m., northwest side of the volcano, with an ash column rising up to 600 meters from the crater. Bulusan had been at Alert Level 1 since 2007, he noted. Solidum said Saturday morning’s steam-driven explosion may be due to hot rocks under the volcano interacting with rainwater. “Hindi naman ito nagsasabing matutuloy ito sa magmatic eruption pero ito senyales na nagkaroon ng abnormalidad ang Bulusan (This does not necessarily indicate a magmatic eruption but it is a sign of abnormality)," he said. On the other hand, he advised the public to close their doors and windows in case of ash fall. “Siguro paalala sa ating mga kababayan magtakip sila ng basang panyo para di malanghap ang pinong abo.... Saraduhan ang pintuan at bintana, kung may abo linisin agad para di malanghap," he said. (We advise the public to cover their noses with handkerchiefs in case of ash fall. Close windows and doors and clean up ash immediately so it does not get inhaled.) — LBG, GMANews.TV