PHIVOLCS reports phreatic eruptions at Taal Volcano

Steam-driven or phreatic eruptions were observed on Saturday at Taal Volcano in Batangas, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) confirmed.

In an 11 a.m. advisory, PHIVOLCS reported that the "short-lived" eruption events were indicative of "weak phreatic activity."

Two successive phreatic events occurred between 8:50 a.m. to 8:52 a.m. and 9:09 to 9:12 a.m., PHIVOLCS said. A third similar event was recorded at 11:02 a.m., PHIVOLCS said in a separate report on Facebook.

PHIVOLCS issued the announcements shortly after the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) released separate advisories about Taal's status earlier in the day.

The first two events produced white steam-laden plumes that rose 350 meters above the main crater before drifting west-southwest and southwest. The third one lasted about five minutes and triggered a 300-meter plume that drifted northwest.

"The phreatic events were 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.

It added, "The background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation detected at Taal indicate that unrest is unlikely to profress into magmatic eruption."

Sulfur dioxide emissions at Taal decreased last week, with a last recorded average of 2,104 tons per day, as per PHIVOLCS data on April 18.

Since January, however, PHIVOLCS reported that the average sulfur dioxide emissions "remain high" at 9,698 per day.

While Taal's status remained at Alert Level 1, PHIVOLCS said, "this is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have caused unrest or ceased the threat of eruptive activity."

The agency warned that sudden explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and toxic accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas posed serious health and safety risks.

PHIVOLCS said it "strongly recommends" that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, particularly in the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, remain strictly prohibited. The island has been identified as a permanent danger zone.

Aircraft that fly close to the volcano, PHIVOLCS said, will be at risk of coming into contact with airborne ash and ballistic fragments.

For its part, OCD urged residents in Batangas to stay alert and follow the advice of authorities regarding Taal.

Earlier, PHIVOLCS said at least five phreatic eruptions were observed at the volcano on April 12, Friday, with one event lasting 13 minutes.

A phreatic eruption and a volcanic tremor at Taal were recorded by PHIVOLCS the next day. — VDV, GMA Integrated News