Mount Bulusan, Active volcano in Sorsogon, Philippines
Mount Bulusan is an active stratovolcano in Sorsogon province that rises 1,565 meters (5,135 feet) into the sky, with several craters and hot springs dotting its forested slopes. Its small summit crater lake, called Blackbird Lake, measures roughly 20 meters (66 feet) across and shows dark water among the dense trees.
The volcano has been known for centuries and has experienced repeated eruptions documented in the records of the region. The most intense eruptions in recent decades took place in the years after 2016, when scientists counted more than a dozen major events.
The name Bulusan comes from the local languages of the region and is still used in everyday conversation when residents talk about the mountain. Families in the surrounding villages know the warning signs from the peak and have learned over generations to live with its presence.
Travelers should check the current alerts from the volcano monitoring agency before visiting and always follow instructions from local authorities, as conditions can shift rapidly. Access to the slopes and the park is restricted during elevated activity, so checking conditions in advance is wise.
The thermal springs like Mapaso and Masacrot steam throughout the year and show that magma continues to move beneath the surface. Hikers can see warm water bubbling from the ground in some spots, a direct sign of ongoing volcanic processes.
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