'Short-lived' phreatomagmatic eruption recorded in Taal —PHIVOLCS

A "short-lived" phreatomagmatic eruption occurred in Taal Volcano on Wednesday morning, according to PHIVOLCS in its latest bulletin.

“At 5:18 AM today, a short-lived phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at Main Crater and generated a grayish plume that rose 300 meters before drifting southeast,” PHIVOLCS said in its 8 a.m. bulletin.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PHIVOLCS said 55 volcanic earthquakes with weak background tremor were also recorded in Taal in the last 24 hours.

These earthquakes included one explosion-type earthquake, 44 low frequency volcanic earthquakes, five volcanic tremor events with durations of two to five minutes, as well as five hybrid earthquakes.

A low-level background tremor has persisted in the area since April 8, PHIVOLCS said.

At least 7,560 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas were emitted from the volcano on Tuesday.

Plumes reached up to 2,500 meters and drifted southwest due to the upwelling of volcanic gas

The Taal Volcano Island is gradually deflating and the entire Taal region is also undergoing a slow extension, PHIVOLCS said.

Taal Lake has an acidity level of 1.59 on February 12 and 71.8 degrees Celsius temperature on March 4, it added.

PHIVOLCS had been expecting a phreatomagmatic eruption in Taal Volcano similar to the July 1 explosion.

At present, Alert Level 3 is still in effect, which means magma extruding from the volcano’s main crater could trigger an "explosive eruption."  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News