Phivolcs: Sulfur dioxide level still up at Bulusan

While the number of volcanic quakes has gone down, sulfur dioxide levels at Bulusan Volcano in Bicol are still above normal. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said Sunday this is preventing them from lowering Alert Level 1 at Bulusan. “Mababa ang bilang ng volcanic quakes, lower than 5. Pero ang ibang indicators tulad ng sulfur dioxide mataas sa Bulusan. Di pa bumababa ang pagiging abnormal. Ang pamamaga patuloy pa rin (We have recorded less than five volcanic quakes a day lately but other indicators like sulfur dioxide remain high. And the ground near it is still swelling. So the situation at Bulusan is still considered abnormal)," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio. Solidum said the high levels of sulfur dioxide indicate an ash explosion remains probable. He reiterated the Phivolcs’ directive to local authorities to prevent people from entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone. Last Easter Sunday, Bulusan gave residents living in villages around it a rude awakening when it exploded and shot ash into the sky. On the other hand, Solidum said Phivolcs is also keeping watch over Taal Volcano in Batangas, urging visitors to stay away from its main crater area. “Ang main crater area dapat iwasan, bumubulwak kasi ng kumukulong tubig (Visitors should stay away from the main crater area because it still spews boiling water)," he said. - GMANews.TV