Philippine volcano spews ash, thousands flee (Roundup)

Feb 21, 2011, 9:01 GMT

Manila - A volcano in the eastern Philippines spewed ash 3 kilometres high on Monday after nearly three months of inactivity, displacing at least 2,000 people.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the ash explosion at Mount Bulusan Volcano in the eastern province of Sorsogon, 250 kilometres south-east of Manila, affected several villages on its slopes.

'This event was recorded as explosion-type earthquake lasting about 19 minutes and was accompanied by rumbling sound which was heard up to 10 kilometres away,' the institute said.

'The explosion produced a greyish ash column that rose to a height of 3 kilometres above the summit,' it added.

Major Harold Cabunoc, a regional military spokesman, said at least 2,000 people fled their homes in the towns of Juban and Irosin at the foot of the volcano.

Cabunoc said heavy ash fall also hit the nearby town of Bulan, disrupting power and communications.

The volcanologists warned residents to stay outside a 4-kilometre radius since the area is at risk to sudden steam and ash explosions.

'Civil aviation authorities must also warn pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit,' it said. 'People living near valleys and river channels should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream waters and lahars (volcanic mudflows).'

Bulusan is one of the country's 23 active volcanoes. Its last eruption was in 2006, when no one was hurt.