Taal Volcano logs phreatic eruption; alert level 1 stays
File photo shows Taal Volcano as seen from Tagaytay City (MARLON MALLARI/ CONTRIBUTOR)
MANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano in Batangas had a phreatic eruption Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
In its latest update, Phivolcs said the eruption occurred at the volcano’s main crater at 2:22 a.m., producing a 500-meter-high plume that drifted south.
Phivolcs told 黑料社 in a phone interview that the eruption lasted two minutes, as recorded by the Taal Volcano Observatory in Brgy. Buco, Talisay, Batangas.
“Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven explosions that occur when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits (for example, tephra and pyroclastic-flow deposits),” Phivolcs explained on its website.
In a separate advisory, Phivolcs said Taal Volcano emitted 1,113.3 tons of sulfur dioxide on Monday, January 20.
Article continues after this advertisementPhivolcs said that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which indicates low-level unrest.
Article continues after this advertisementUnder Alert Level 1, entry to Taal Volcano Island, particularly the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, is strictly prohibited.
Occupancy and boating on Taal Lake are also not allowed.
Flights near the volcano are likewise prohibited.
Phivolcs also warned the public about potential hazards that may occur under Alert Level 1:
- Steam-driven or phreatic explosions
- Volcanic earthquakes
- Minor ashfall
- Lethal accumulation or expulsion of volcanic gases
