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SciTech

Two minor eruptions recorded at Taal Volcano on Sunday


Taal Volcano in Batangas had two minor phreatomagmatic eruptions before sunrise on Sunday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

"Nagkaroon uli po ng mga pagsabog na mga maliit lamang, between 400 to 800 meters ang taas ng plume, kaninang 4:34 at 5:04 ng umaga," PHIVOLCS director and Science Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(There were minor eruptions with plumes ranging from 400 to 800 meters tall at 4:34 and 5:04 a.m.)

 

 

The said plumes drifted southwest, PHIVOLCS said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

"Pagkatapos po noon, wala pang sumunod. At pinapakita lang ng bulkan na ito pa rin ay posibleng magkaroon ng pagsabog kaya kailangang pag-ingatan," he added.

(After those two events, no other eruption followed so far. The volcano is just showing us that there is a possibility of eruption so we have to take precautions.)

Solidum said ash may have been emitted during Sunday's minor eruptions.

"Posibleng may kasamang abo 'yon pero dahil maliit lamang ay baka hindi na mapansin sa labas ng crater," he said.

(It is possible that those eruptions included ash, but because the eruptions were minor, the ash may not be seen outside the crater.)

PHIVOLCS on Saturday raised the alert status of Taal Volcano from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest).

This was after the main crater of Taal Volcano "generated a short-lived phreatomagmatic burst" at 7:22 a.m which was "followed by nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity that generated plumes 1500 m accompanied by volcanic earthquake and infrasound signals," PHIVOLCS added.

Another phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at 8:59 a.m. Saturday, it said.

Fourteen volcanic earthquakes including 10 volcanic tremor events were also recorded in the past 24 hours.

PHIVOLCS said the main crater activity was mainly the upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in its lake.

On March 25, Taal Volcano emitted an average of 6,957 tonnes.

 

 

Alert Level 3

Solidum on Sunday said Alert Level 3 remains in effect at Taal Volcano.

"Sapat po sa kasalukuyan ang Alert Level 3," he said.

(For now, Alert Level 3 is enough.)

In its website, PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 3 means "magma is near or at the surface, and activity could lead to hazardous eruption in weeks. Danger zones may be expanded up to eight (8) kilometers from the active crater," PHIVOLCS said in its website.

Solidum said the alert level may be deescalated to level 2 if the eruptions stop and the parameters go down.

"Kung may pag-akyat ng magma at umaangat ang island at dumadami ang volcanic earthquakes, kung nakikita natin 'yan, puwedeng tumaas sa alert level 4," he said.

(If magma rises, the island inflates, and the number of volcanic earthquakes increase, we may raise the alert level to 4.)

Solidum said the eruptions that occurred this month are not as strong as the ones in January 2020 because the movement of the magma is slower.

"Compared sa January 2020 eruptions na ang mga pagsabog ay napaka-explosive, itong nangyari last year at ngayon, ang magma na umakyat sa Taal ay mabagal ang kilos at may time na mai-release ang sulfur dioxide na kasama ang magma. Hindi nagkaroon ng masyadong pressure," he said.

(Compared to the January 2020 eruptions which were very explosive, the eruptions that occurred last year and today are [less explosive because] the movement of magma is slower. There is time to release the sulfur dioxide with the magma. There is not much pressure.)

PHIVOLCS reiterated that Taal Volcano Island—a permanent danger zone—as well as Barangays Bilibinwang and Banyaga in the municipality of Agoncillo and Barangays Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East in the municipality of Laurel should be evacuated due to possible hazards from the volcano.

"All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time," it added.

"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," it said.

Meanwhile, PHIVOLCS also said flying over Taal Volcano may be hazardous to aircraft, as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may occur. —KG, GMA News

Tags: taal volcano, Phivolcs, Renato Solidum Jr., Scitech
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