Taal Volcano vog clears but more sulfur dioxide emitted —PHIVOLCS

No more vog or volcanic smog was observed in Taal Volcano on Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

“Sa kasalukuyan po, wala naman po tayong namamataang vog mula sa Taal Volcano. Medyo clear po ang skies,” PHIVOLCS volcano monitoring and eruption prediction division chief Mariton Bornas told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(Currently, we are not seeing any vog from Taal Volcano. The skies are clear.)

Asked about the air quality, Bornas said, “Hindi po kasing lala noong nakaraang araw. Kahapon po medyo meron tayong light vog. Nakatulong din po ang mga pag-ulan dahil ang sulfur dioxide po ay soluble sa tubig at nafa-flush out tuwing umuulan po.”

(It is not as bad as the other day. Yesterday,  we had light vog. The rains also helped because sulfur dioxide is soluble in water and is flushed out every time it rains.)

Vog from Taal Volcano was observed from Sunday to Tuesday.

In its latest bulletin, PHIVOLCS said 5,128 tons of sulfur dioxide were released from the volcano on Tuesday. This is higher compared to the 3,355 tons recorded on August 15.

A voluminous emission of plumes of up to 2,100 meters tall were observed from the volcano, drifting to the northwest and north-northwest directions.

Vog is composed of sulfur dioxide gas and other volcanic gases which mix with atmospheric oxygen, moisture, dust, and sunlight, according to PHIVOLCS.

The agency provided the following tips for protection from the effects of vog:

• Stay away from sources of volcanic gas
• Stay indoors only and close windows and doors
• Use an N95 face mask or gas mask
• Drink plenty of water to relieve irritation or constriction of the respiratory tract
• See a doctor or the barangay health unit immediately if necessary

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday authorized schools in Metro Manila and Calabarzon to suspend face-to-face classes if they are affected by vog.

According to DepEd, the decision to lift the suspension will depend on whether it is safe for learners and teachers to return to schools.

“Concerned personnel are advised to stay updated through news and announcements from the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS),” DepEd said in a memorandum.

Some towns in Calabarzon suspended classes or in-person classes for Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 due to high levels of vog from Taal Volcano.

Meanwhile, an upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was still observed in the Main Crater Lake of Taal Volcano. As of February 20, the acidity was 0.20 and the temperature was 72.7 degrees Celsius in the Main Crater Lake.

A long-term deflation of Taal Caldera as well as a short-term inflation of the general northern and southeastern flanks of Taal Volcano Island were also observed.

No volcanic earthquake was detected in the past 24 hours, according to PHIVOLCS.

Alert Level 1 is maintained over Taal Volcano in Batangas, which means there is low-level unrest.

Under Level 1, the possible hazards are steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.

The agency prohibited the entry into the Taal Volcano Island as it is a permanent danger zone or PDZ, especially the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.

Flying close to the volcano is also prohibited. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News