Volcanic smog persists over Taal

MANILA, Philippines — Volcanic smog, or vog, persisted over the Taal Volcano region in Batangas province this weekend, as the restive volcano continued to degas and emit sulfur dioxide, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Sunday.

Phivolcs said Taal’s sulfur dioxide emission averaged 5,973 tons per day on Saturday. Vog, which consists of tiny droplets of volcanic gas, was also observed over Taal and the volcano’s vicinity.

Vog can cause irritation to the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. Taal Volcano continued to emit steam plumes, reaching 2,400 meters high, between Saturday and Sunday morning, as hot volcanic fluids rose in its main crater.

A total of 142 volcanic earthquakes were also detected.

—JHESSET O . ENANO