First photos: Restive Philippine volcano erupts again

RESTIVE VOLCANO | The restive Mount Bulusan (height: 1,565 metres) in eastern Philippines erupted once more early on Sunday, June 12, 2022. It was a much bigger eruption than last week's, with ashes covering a wider area. Volcanologists said the explosion occurred at 3:37 am, blanketing the nearby towns and villages in thick ashes. The province of Sorsogon is about 3 times the size of Singapore.

ASH-COVERED | The eruption lasted about 18 minutes, and left a huge swathe of the Sorsogon province and neighbouring Albay in eastern Philippines covered in volcanic ash. Mt Bulusan is one of the three active volcanoes in the Bicol region, out of the 24 active in the archipelagic country (there are a total of 300 known volcanoes in the Philippines, most of which are extinct or dormant).

PHREATIC ERUPTION | Scientists with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) detected several earthquakes following the Sunday eruption, which they said were “phreatic” (steam-driven) in origin.

STEAM-DRIVEN: The eruption was driven by “phreatic” activity — meaning "the explosion was caused by the boiling water under the crater," PhiVolcs head Renato Solidum told a local media. Another steam-driven eruption in possible in days, weeks, months ahead, the official said. Over the past 400 years, there have been a total of 44 significant eruptions recorded in the Philippines.

VILLAGES AFFECTED: The local government of Sorsogon province, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) south of the capital Manila, said 10 villages in two towns were affected by the massive ashfall. The alert level was raised to one on the five-level system, indicating "low-level unrest”.

EVACUATION: At least 1,500 residents in ash-covered towns and villages were ordered to evacuate after the Bulusan volcano spewed a huge, dark cloud on Sunday. On Monday, local volcanologists warned of possible further eruptions. The local disaster relief agency and fire department personnel were on hand to helped in the evacuation. Photo from last week's eruption.

ALERT LEVEL | Drivers reported poor visibility affected road transport. Sorsogon is the southern-most part on the main island of Luzon (where Manila is). The Philippine Coast Guard has told residents that Alert Level 1 remains up around Mount Bulusan, and entry within the four-kilometer radius “permanent danger zone” is prohibited.

INSPECTION | Chiz Escudero, the provincial governor of Sorsogon, visited the affected areas early on Sunday morning and supervised the clearing operations.

LONG VIEW | A view of Mt Bulusan volcano as seen from the City of Sorsogon, Philippines. Taken around 11 am local time.

Residents of Jagusara, Juban Sorsogon prepare to evacuate as Mt Bulusan erupts Sunday

Mt. Bulusan still kicking up ash in Sorsogon, Philippines on Sunday at 1.19pm Manila time.