REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Heads Up, Sorsogon: Bulusan Volcano Now Under Alert Level 1 After Early Morning Eruption
Photo credit: Marcky Ragasa / Bulusan MDRRMO
If you live near Bulusan Volcano, here’s something you need to know: the Department of Science and Technology–PHIVOLCS just raised the alert status of Bulusan from Alert Level 0 (Normal) to Alert Level 1 (Low-level Unrest) as of 7:00 AM today, April 28, 2025.
Why the sudden change? Well, at around 4:36 AM, Bulusan let out a phreatic eruption—that’s when steam and gases blast out from the volcano without new magma coming up (but it’s still dangerous). The eruption lasted for 24 minutes, shooting a huge ash plume up to 4,500 meters high before drifting west to southwest.
Reports of ashfall came in from Barangays Cogon and Bolos in Irosin, Puting Sapa, Guruyan, and Buraburan in Juban, and Tulatula Sur in Magallanes, all in Sorsogon Province. Even more concerning, a pyroclastic density current—a fast-moving flow of ash, gas, and rocks (locally called “uson”)—rushed down the southwestern slopes, reaching up to 3 kilometers from the crater.
Before the eruption, PHIVOLCS recorded 53 volcanic earthquakes in just 24 hours. Some residents also reported hearing rumbling sounds about 15 minutes before the blast. Definitely not your typical early morning wake-up call!
Because of all this, PHIVOLCS is reminding everyone:
• Stay away from the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano.
• Be extra careful within the 2-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast side.
• If there’s ashfall in your area, wear masks or use a wet cloth to cover your nose and mouth.
• Pilots are also warned to steer clear of Bulusan’s summit because ash clouds are bad news for aircraft engines.
• If you live near rivers and streams (especially southeast, southwest, and northwest sides), watch out for possible lahars—mudflows that could happen if it rains heavily after an eruption.
PHIVOLCS assured everyone they’re closely monitoring Bulusan’s activity and will give updates as soon as needed.
For now, stay alert, stay safe, and let’s all hope Bulusan settles down soon!
Why the sudden change? Well, at around 4:36 AM, Bulusan let out a phreatic eruption—that’s when steam and gases blast out from the volcano without new magma coming up (but it’s still dangerous). The eruption lasted for 24 minutes, shooting a huge ash plume up to 4,500 meters high before drifting west to southwest.
Reports of ashfall came in from Barangays Cogon and Bolos in Irosin, Puting Sapa, Guruyan, and Buraburan in Juban, and Tulatula Sur in Magallanes, all in Sorsogon Province. Even more concerning, a pyroclastic density current—a fast-moving flow of ash, gas, and rocks (locally called “uson”)—rushed down the southwestern slopes, reaching up to 3 kilometers from the crater.
Before the eruption, PHIVOLCS recorded 53 volcanic earthquakes in just 24 hours. Some residents also reported hearing rumbling sounds about 15 minutes before the blast. Definitely not your typical early morning wake-up call!
Because of all this, PHIVOLCS is reminding everyone:
• Stay away from the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano.
• Be extra careful within the 2-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast side.
• If there’s ashfall in your area, wear masks or use a wet cloth to cover your nose and mouth.
• Pilots are also warned to steer clear of Bulusan’s summit because ash clouds are bad news for aircraft engines.
• If you live near rivers and streams (especially southeast, southwest, and northwest sides), watch out for possible lahars—mudflows that could happen if it rains heavily after an eruption.
PHIVOLCS assured everyone they’re closely monitoring Bulusan’s activity and will give updates as soon as needed.
For now, stay alert, stay safe, and let’s all hope Bulusan settles down soon!
Apr 28, 2025
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