5 short phreatomagmatic eruptions recorded in Taal in past 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

PHIVOLCS on Friday maintained Alert Level 3 over Taal Volcano after recording five short phreatomagmatic bursts and 58 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours.

In its daily bulletin, PHIVOLCS said the short phreatomagmatic bursts occurred at 6:47 a.m., 06:06 p.m., 09:21 p.m. and 09:50 p.m. on Thursday, and 02:59 a.m. on Friday, and it produced “short, jetted plumes” that rose up to 200 meters above the Taal Lake’s main crater.

Meanwhile, the 58 volcanic earthquakes included five explosion-type earthquakes, 24 low frequency volcanic earthquakes, 27 volcanic tremor events having durations of one to six minutes, two hybrid earthquakes, and low-level background tremor that has persisted since July 7, 2021.

PHIVOLCS also recorded “high levels” of volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emissions and “steam-rich” plumes that rose up to 1,200 meters before drifting northwest.

An average of 6,095 tons per day sulfur dioxide emission was measured on July 8.

“Based on ground deformation parameters from electronic tilt, continuous GPS and InSAR monitoring, Taal Volcano Island has begun deflating in April 2021 while the Taal region continues to undergo very slow extension since 2020,” PHIVOLCS said.

The latest data of Taal Volcano’s temperature was 71.8°C taken last March 4 while the pH level of 1.59 was recorded last February 12.

PHIVOLCS warned anew that Alert Level 3 or “magmatic unrest” prevails over the Taal Volcano, which means magma extruding from the main crater could drive explosive eruption.

It reminded the public that the Taal Volcano is a Permanent Danger Zone and recommended barring of entry to the Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays namely Agoncillo and Laurel due to “hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should strong eruptions occur.”

“All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time. Communities around the Taal Lake shores are advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify,” PHIVOLCS said.

PHIVOLCS advised pilots to avoid flying over the Taal volcano island as it warns of airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden eruption and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges. —KBK, GMA News