PHIVOLCS reports weak phreatic activity of Taal Volcano

There is a weak phreatic or steam-drivern eruption at the main crater of Taal Volcano late Monday evening, the PHIVOLCS reported.

The activity occurred between 9:30 p.m. and 9:32 p.m. based on visual, seismic and infrasound records of the Taal Volcano Network (TVN).

"The event produced steam-laden plumes that rose 600 meters above the Main Crater before drifting west based on IP and thermal camera monitors," the agency said in an advisory posted at about 2 a.m. on Tueday.

Meanwhile, Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions averaged 4,641 tonnes/day on 20 June 2024.The average SO2 emissions since January remain high at 7,967 tonnes/day.

PHIVOLCS said that the weak phreatic activity is likely driven by the continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal Main Crater and could be succeeded by similar events.

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

DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that Alert Level 1 remains over Taal Volcano, "which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity."

Alert Level 1 means that there may be sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island (TVI).

Degassing of high concentrations of volcanic SO2 continues to pose the threat of potential long-term health impacts to communities around Taal Caldera that are frequently exposed to volcanic gas.

The DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited.

Local government units are advised to monitor and assess preparedness of their communities and to undertake appropriate response measures to mitigate hazards that could be posed by long-term degassing and related phreatic activity.

"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 aircrafts," PHIVOLCS said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News

DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Taal Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately communicated to all stakeholders.