Taal Volcano had phreatic eruption — PHIVOLCS

A phreatic eruption was reported in Taal Volcano early Friday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

“This is a notice of a phreatic eruption in Taal Volcano,” PHIVOLCS said.

“A phreatic or steam-driven eruption at the Taal Main Crater occurred in the early morning between 5:11 AM to 5:24 AM based on seismic, visual and infrasound records of the Taal Volcano Network (TVN)," it added.

“The phreatic event was likely driven by the continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal Main Crater and could be succeeded by similar phreatic activity,” PHIVOLCS said.

PHIVOLCS defines phreatic eruption as “steam-driven explosion that occur when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits.”

Alert Level 1 is maintained over the volcano.

Alert Level 1 means that the volcano is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.

PHIVOLCS said the volcano’s unrest is “unlikely to progress into magmatic eruption” considering the background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation in the area.

“The background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation detected at Taal indicate that unrest is unlikely to progress into magmatic eruption,” it said.

According to PHIVOLCS, the phreatic eruption produced a white steam-laden plume of up to 2,400 meters that drifted southwest.

The sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission from the volcano was 9,677 tonnes on Thursday.

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

These hazards may threaten areas within the volcano island.

PHIVOLCS also warned the communities around Taal Caldera about potential long-term health impacts of frequent exposure to high concentrations of volcanic SO2.

The agency prohibited the entry into the Taal Volcano Island, permanent danger zone or PDZ, especially the vicinity of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.

Local governments should monitor and assess preparedness of their communities and undertake appropriate response measures to mitigate the hazards.

Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft, PHIVOLCS said. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News