Phreatomagmatic burst occurs in Taal Volcano

A phreatomagmatic burst occurred from the main crater of Taal Volcano on Thursday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

In a video post on Facebook, PHIVOLCS said the burst occurred at 10:39 a.m.

Phreatomagmatic eruptions are caused by the interaction of magma and water, PHIVOLCS said, adding eruptions normally consist of multiple explosive events, the interval of which may vary.

PHIVOLCS raised Alert Level 3, signifying magmatic unrest, over Taal Volcano on Saturday morning from Alert Level 2, following "a short-lived phreatomagmatic burst."

On Tuesday, PHIVOLCS chief Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said Taal Volcano may be downgraded to Alert Level 2, signifying increasing unrest, within the next two weeks if the situation further improves.  —KBK, GMA News