A volcano spewed huge clouds of ash that fell over villages Thursday in the eastern Philippines, forcing authorities to shut schools for the day and issue an alert to residents.
The 1,559-metre (5,145-foot) Mount Bulusan, on the south-eastern tip of the main island of Luzon, twice blew out ash before dawn followed by a series of quakes, the state volcanology department said. Residents were advised to be on alert for potentially deadly mudflows. Education Secretary Jesli Lapus ordered schools in the town of Bulusan to close for the day, affecting more than 3,500 students.