Phivolcs: 2 quakes recorded near Bulusan

At least two volcanic quakes were recorded near restive Bulusan Volcano in the last 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Friday. In its 8 a.m. update, Phivolcs also said thick rain clouds prevented it from observing steaming activity at the crater and known thermal vents. "Likewise, no measurement of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission rate was conducted yesterday due to rainy weather," it said in its update posted on the Phivolcs website. But it maintained Bulusan remains at Alert Level 1, and reminded the public not to venture into the 4-km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the heightened activity from Bulusan in the last month has damaged some P12.264 million in crops. In its 4 p.m. Thursday update, the NDRRMC said the crops affected included banana, vegetables, root crops and fruit trees. The NDRRMC added the affected areas include 80 hectares in Irosin and Juban towns. Villages whose crops were affected included Bolos and Cogon in Irosin; and Puting Sapa, Buraburan, Garuyan, Calmayan and Calanusan in Juban. Of the 80 hectares affected by Bulusan's activity, 56 still had a chance of recovery while 24 hectares had none. The NDRRMC said that before Bulusan's activity, the affected areas would yield 108 metric tons per hectare. After being affected, their production was down to 69 metric tons per hectare. Bulusan spewed ash and steam last Nov. 6, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to raise the alert level there to "1." On Wednesday, the Phivolcs and the Office of the Civil Defense conducted an aerial survey and inspection of lahar at Bulusan. The survey found small lahars and debris flow along the Rangas (Juban), Cogon, Monbon and Patag (Irosin) river channels confined with some spill in Cogon. Ash deposits at the upper slope of the volcano was not observed due to rain clouds that covered the volcano during the aerial survey. "Lahar threat to the communities downstream of the four river channels is still possible if there would be prolonged intense rainfall and if there would be an incoming typhoon," it said. — RSJ, GMANews.TV