Phivolcs says magma resupplied beneath Taal Volcano

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said there has been a resupply of magma beneath the Taal Volcano, which spewed more ash Friday morning that is being considered as the “strongest in the past few days.”

“‘Yung nabanggit nating magma na galing sa 15 to 20 kilometers depth na nasa ilalim ng mga bayan ng Lemery, San Nicolas, at Agoncillo ay umabot na sa ilalim mismo ng bulkan at nasa around five kilometers,” Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said in an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the Metro Manila Council meeting.

(The magma coming from 15 to 20 kilometers in depth from the towns of Lemery, San Nicolas, and Agoncillo has now reached the bottom of the volcano at around five kilometers.)

“Ito po ay kitang-kita sa mga paglindol na narecord natin at nagsasabi na may recharge or bagong supply ng magma sa ilalim ng bulkan,” he explained.

(This is evident in the recorded earthquakes and shows that there has been a recharge or new supply of magma beneath the volcano.)

Solidum also said that the ash expelled by the volcano shows that the groundwater is being boiled by hot magma after days of lull.

There is still 30 percent probability that the volcano will have a explosive eruption, which state volcanologists stressed is “still very high” and poses hazardous threats especially to areas within the 14-kilometer radius danger zone.

The Phivolcs chief added that there could still be a lot of possible scenarios after the Taal Volcano’s phreatic or steam-generated eruption on January 12.

“Sa history ng Taal Volcano, nagpapahinga at sumasabog ulit. Sana ay ganyan na lang at hindi magkaroon ng 1754 type ng eruption,” said Solidum, referring to the most destructive and most-prolonged eruption of the volcano that lasted for seven months.

(Based on the history of the Taal Volcano, it rests and erupts again. I hope it will just be calm and not repeat the type of eruption it had in 1754.)

But even if the same destructive event does not happen, Solidum said there is still a chance that the volcano would exhibit less destructive eruptions that could affect the Taal Volcano Island and nearby areas.

Meanwhile, he also called on local authorities in Batangas province to urge their constituents to not force their way inside areas on lockdown.

“Dapat pong sikapin ng mga lokal na lider na payuhan po nila ang mga kababayan na huwag nang pumunta sa isla, at sa mga residente rin, delikado po ang kondisyon ng Taal Volcano,” he said.

(Our local leaders should advice their constituents to not go to the island, and to the residents, remember that the condition of the Taal Volcano is dangerous.)