Bulusan volcano spewing ash, typhoon NOUL dumping heavy rain
The Bulusan volcano (12.7667°N, 124.0500°E), restive for eight days, has been spewing out steam and ash in central Sorsogon province, Philippines.
At 9:46 PM on May 6, 2015, Bulusan Volcano (12.7667°N, 124.0500°E) in Sorsogon Province generated a steam-driven explosion from a vent on its northwest upper slopes that propelled an ash plume approximately 250 m high before it drifted west. The explosion event lasted 3.5 minutes based on the seismic records. Traces of ash were observed in Sitio Tulay of Brgy. Bagsangan, Cogon, Monbon, and Tinampo in Irosin, Sorsogon. This event was preceded by a similar steam-driven explosion from the same vent on May 1, 2015 that lasted 5 minutes. Such explosions are typical to Bulusan during restive periods, when its hydrothermal system is disturbed or when steam accumulates and pressurizes at the shallow levels of the volcanic edifice. Based on past records, more explosions can be expected to occur with varying intensity, duration and distribution of ash. DOST-PHIVOLCS
Meantime, major typhoon NOUL, the fourth to strike the country so far this year, is forecast to dump up to 30cm of rain along its path threatening to unleash lahar around Mt Bulusan, officials said.
NOUL Location as of 4:00pm Local Time
The typhoon (locally known as DODONG) was about 510 km East of Sorsogon City (12.9°N, 128.7°E), forecast to make landfall as a category four storm at the weekend, said the official agency PAGASA.
NOUL was packing maximum sustained winds of about 150 kp/h with maximum wind gusts of up to 185 kp/h, moving WNW at about 17km/h, according to several models.
The typhoon is dumping “heavy to intense rainfall amount” within its 300-km diameter, said PAGASA.
Typhoon NOUL – Image source: DOST/PAGASA
MT Bulusan
On Thursday, DOST-PHIVOLCS issued an Alert Level 1 for Mt Bulusan after an explosion late Wednesday, warning “hydrothermal processes may be underway beneath the volcano that may lead to more steam-driven eruptions.”
“The local government units and the public are reminded that entry to the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden and hazardous steam-driven or phreatic eruptions,” the agency said in its latest bulletin.
Mayon Volcano Status
BULLETIN 08 May 2015 8:00 A.M.
Mayon Volcano’s seismic monitoring network recorded five (5) volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours. Very weak to moderate emission of white steam plumes that crept downslope towards southwest was observed. The summit was visible but no crater glow was observed last night. Precise leveling surveys on April 30 – May 4, 2015 indicated slight deflation of the edifice relative to the March 2015 surveys, although the edifice remains inflated relative to baseline levels.
Mayon Volcano’s alert status is currently at Alert Level 2. This means the volcano is at a moderate level of magmatic unrest. Although the volcano is currently exhibiting low-level of seismic activity, ground deformation data indicates that eruptible magma had already accumulated the previous year beneath the edifice. Current conditions may still change and eventually lead to hazardous eruption. The public is still reminded to avoid entry into the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ due to perennial hazards of rockfalls, avalanche, ash puffs and sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions at the summit area. Furthermore, people living in valleys and active river channels are cautioned to remain vigilant against sediment-laden streamflows and lahars in the event of prolonged and heavy rainfall. PHIVOLCS-DOST is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s activity and any new development will be immediately posted to all concerned. DOST-PHIVOLCS
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