Sources of Information:
http://www.africamuseum.be/Nl/Departementen/Geologie/gars/bulusan.htm

Neumann van Padang, M., 1953, Philippine Islands and Cochin China. Catalogue  of the Active Volcanoes of the World, International Association of Volcanology,  2, Rome, Italy, 49 p.
Simkin, T., and Siebert, L., 1994, Volcanoes of the World: Geoscience Press,  Tucson, Arizona, 349 p.

Space Shuttle photo  STS067-725A-0085. March 12, 1995.

LAKE BULUSAN

Jeepneys continue down the coast from Rizal Beach through Barcelona to Bulusan town, whose church is noted for its old bell. Barcelona is a tiny town, but it's a beautiful spot with one village store and very few tourists stopping by. There's a morning bus to Bulusan from here or Rizal beach, and there are some accommodations in Bulusan, but again, very little available, except for the Meliza Lodging House.

South of town, the road begins to climb inland to a junction (111 km) where a paved side road leads right up to Lake Bulusan (two km). You can get a tricycle ride to the lake for P20 roundtrip. A concrete path leads around this small, round crater lake, but it's in a bad state of disrepair and in places completely destroyed by landslides. It's easier to walk halfway around (to the right) then turn back, rather than complete the 1,700-meter circle. The lake i's surrounded by lush forest containing orchids, ferns, and flowers. Don't swim, due to the possibility of schistosomiasis.

Lake Bulusan is situated at an elevation of 635 meters on the southeast flank of Bulusan volcano (1,559 meters), which has a double peak. The eastern crest, now a rugged mound, is probably the remains of a vast, high, circular crater. The bell-shaped western summit is still active. It has had about 30 major eruptions since 1852, though none is known to have caused casualties. A mild eruption took place in 1983, and tremors recurred in 1984. The volcano, whose slopes form a 37-square-km national park, serves as a landmark for sailors approaching the San Bernardino Strait, since it's visible from almost 100 krn when the weather is clear.

Bulusan Volcano

Bulusan Volcano is located at the south central part of Sorsogon Province. It covers a surface area roughly 400 sq. km. and towers to about 1559 m. above sea level. The volcano forms part of the Bicol Volcanic Chain which stretches from Camarines Norte in the north to Sorsogon in the south. The chain, sometimes called volcanic belt, is composed of active and geologically young volcanoes most probably related to the Philippine Trench.

Bulusan is clasified as a composite volcano and is made up of lava flows and domes. It is flanked by several cones namely: Mt. Homahan, Mt. Binactan, Mt. Batuan, Mt. Juban, Mt. Calaunan, Mt. Tabon-Tabon, Mt. Calungalan and Mt. Jormajan. Beside the active volcano is an old ridge called Sharp Peak which is 1215 m. high and 1.8 km. to the northeast. Between Bulusan and Jormajan is theNatakop lava dome.

The earliest recorded eruption of Bulusan Volcano occured in 1852. This was followed by periods of eruptive activity in 1886, then 1892, and in 1894. Another 22 years elapsed before Bulusan showed signs of restiveness. On January 16, 1916, the volcano ejected mud and ash for five days, thereby triggering landslides. The volcano's eruptive activity from Oct. 1918 to March 1919 was characterized by dust emissions and lava outpourings.

Bulusan's series of 17 eruptions during May 1919 to May 1922 were of short duration ranging from 15 to 30 minutes each. Other eruptions were recorded in June 1928 and Dec. 25, 1933 and then the volcano rested for 45 years. On June 28, 1978, it suddenly ejected ashladen steam clouds which formed in a dark column of smoke 1500 m. high. Andesitic baalt ash was ejected and blown by winds to as far as Barcelona in the northeast about 15 km. from the volcano.

The eruptions which followed in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1983 were all pheatric and as mild as the previous ones.

A total of 60 barangays within the territorial jurisdiction of six municipalities (Barcelona, Bulusan, Casiguran, Gubat, Irosin and Juban) are covered by the Bulusan Volcano hazard zones established by PHIVOLCS. These barangays lie within 4-10 km. from the summit of Bulusan Volcano.

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

Luzon's southern most volcano, Bulusan, is constructed within the 11-km- diameter Pleistocene Bulusan (Irosin) caldera. It is 280 km NNE of Canlaon and 70 km SSE of Mayon volcano.

Historic Activity: Moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded since 1852. Between May 1918 and May 1922 there were 17 explosive, ash-producing eruptions, a lava flow, possible dome growth, and nuees ardentes. Intermittent explosions during 1978-83 prompted some evacuations.

Recent Activity:

• In April 1981 following an 8-day earthquake swarm several explosions ejected tephra clouds that reached 8 km in height.
• In late June 1983 mild phreatic explosions occurred from the summit crater with eruption clouds reaching 1200 m.
• During 1985 to early 1987 several seismic swarms have been recorded and strong volcanic earthquakes have occurred from late October to early December 1987.
• Small ash eruptions occurred in February and March 1988. High level of seismicity from April to August 1988.
• A series of phreatic eruptions began on Nov. 27, 1994 and continued through Jan. 28, 1995. Eruptive column reached heights of as much as 3 km and spread ash upto 16 km away.

• Smithsonian's SEAN Bulletin (V. 8, No. 6 to V. 13, No. 8)
• Global Volcanism Network (V. 19, No. 11 to V. 20, No. 1).

http://users.bendnet.com/bjensen/volcano/asia/philippines/bulusan.html

Volcano Map