Taal Volcano had small phreatic eruption —PHIVOLCS

A small phreatic eruption event was reported in Taal Volcano on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Thursday.

In its bulletin, PHIVOLCS said the phreatic eruption lasted two minutes.

Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven explosions that occur when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits, PHIVOLCS said.

A voluminous emission of plumes of up to 3,000 meters tall were observed from Taal Volcano, which drifted to the north-northwest and northeast directions.

The volcano emitted 2,256 tons of sulfur dioxide gas on Wednesday and an upwelling of hot volcanic fluids were also observed in its Main Crater Lake.

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

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

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

People are prohibited from entering the Taal Volcano Island, permanent danger zone or PDZ, especially the vicinity of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.

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