Mount Bulusan
© Agence France-PresseMount Bulusan spews ash and emits black smoke in Casiguran town, Sorsogon.
Manila - An explosion of ash and smoke from the rumbling Bulusan volcano in the central Philippines has jolted residents awake but scientists say an eruption is not imminent.

One of the country's 23 active volcanoes, Bulusan came back to life last weekend after emitting lava three years ago.

The state institute of volcanology says its analysis of the ashfall, which has blanketed about six municipalities, showed it contains no magma and there is no danger of eruption.

The latest blast early Friday shot up ash and steam some 500m above the 1,560m summit.

Authorities have distributed face masks, opened up evacuation centers and warned aircraft to avoid flying near the volcano.

Source: The Associated Press