ERUPTION OF BULUSAN VOLCANO ^ 



By J. P. GOLDSBERRY 



(From the Division of Mines, Bureau of Science, Manila, P. I.) 

 INTRODUCTION 



The first news of the eruption of Bulusan Volcano was 

 a telegram received January 21, 1916, by the Director of the 

 Weather Observatory in Manila and sent by the municipal pre- 

 sidente of Irosin. This telegram, dated January 20, stated that 

 Bulusan Volcano was in a state of eruption, beginning January 

 18 at 2 o'clock in the morning, with action continuing, accom- 

 panied by the pouring of ashes, landslides of fire, and ejection 

 of mud and also heavy rains and strong winds. 



On the day received, the Director sent a message to the pre- 

 sidente of that municipality requesting more detailed informa- 

 tion in regard to seismic disturbances, the nature of the ashes, 

 whether hot or cold and the quantity, the direction of the wind, 

 the effect upon the vegetation close to the crater, the gases 

 evolved, and the location of the mountain. 



In answer to the requests made, the Director received on 

 January 23 a second telegram, dated January 22, from the 

 presidente of Irosin containing the following information: 



Cold ashes fell. Smoke issued during first forty-five minutes. Eruption 

 continues to date, but with less ashes. Direction of ashes is southwest due 

 to winds from the northeast. Radius of ashes from the crater is 25 to 30 

 kilometers. One remarkable quake occurred on the 18th at 4.00 a. m. 

 Vegetation up to the crater is alive. The river from the volcano is heavily 

 charged with ashes. Little fire comes out. Subterranean noises are almost 

 continuous, but in general almost imperceptible. Thickness of ashes on the 

 town at the close of the first day of the eruption was 0.5 centimeter. During 

 the afternoon of January 21 there were intense waves of sulphur fumes 

 during the first 8 hours. On January 22 from 8.00 to 9.00 a. m. great 

 noises were heard nearly every 15 minutes. After the last noise the 

 atmosphere about the volcano became clear and the top of the volcano was 

 visible. The distance from the town to the crater is about 15 kilometers. 



TRIP TO SORSOGON 



The trip to Irosin is best made by boat to Bulan, and hence 

 by automobile to Irosin, a distance of 21 kilometers, although 

 there are foot trails from both Juban and Bulusan. Until 

 recent washouts in the road, there have been four auto trucks 



* Received for publication March 27, 1916. 

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