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Ash from Philippines Volcano Sparks Evacuations

About 450 residents from the Philippines` restive Mount Bulusan were evacuated as the volcano spewed ash and gravel after an explosion on Sunday, fearing signs of increased activity. Scientists said they needed to gather more details and possibly conduct another aerial survey of Bulusan`s summit before they can assess prospects of a major eruption. Authorities estimate more than 20,000 people face a possible evacuation in case of a major eruption, and set out plans for erecting tents cities outside a four-mile radius of the volcano.

Mayor Edwin Hamor of nearby Casiguran town reported another 100 villagers living near the slopes of the volcano moved to a high school. Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, revealed Sunday`s explosion belched ash up to 1.2 miles into the sky, accompanied by a number of mild tremors. The Philippines, which has about 22 active volcanoes, sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.

No one was hurt in the incident, and the volcano was reported said 350 residents were ferried by military trucks and government vehicles from villages close to the volcano in Juban and Irosin towns, 240 miles southeast of Manila, to evacuation centers about three miles away. The volcano`s last major eruption was in 1994.