Taal’s latest sulfur dioxide emissions not cause for alert level increase — Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — While the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is monitoring the activities of the Taal Volcano, the recent sulfur dioxide emissions are not an indication to increase the current alert level.

Phivolcs officer-in-charge Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said during the Laging Handa Public Briefing on Monday that other parameters — like whether or not the volcano’s slopes are inflated or if there is an increase in earthquakes — as factors to move from the current Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2.

Since last Friday, Phivolcs has reported sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano, which has turned into volcanic smog (vog) affecting several nearby towns.  The low-level activity has prompted the agency to advise residents to stay indoors.

“Itong sulfur dioxide emission hindi po ‘yan indikasyon na itaas na natin agad ‘yong alert level from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2.  There are other parameters that we are looking at to raise from Alert Level 1 to 2.  So one of these would be the increase in seismicity, another would be ‘yong inflation or ‘yong pamamaga ng bulkan, among others,” Bacolcol said.

(This sulfur dioxide emission is not an indication to immediately bring up the alert level from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2.  We are looking at other parameters to raise from Alert Level 1 to 2.  So one of these would be the increase in seismicity, and another would be the inflation of the volcano, among others.)

“Then, if there is a significant decrease naman of the parameters, we can lower the alert level to zero.  Pero as of now hindi muna natin magawa ‘to (But as of now we cannot do this) because still mataas pa ang (we still have a high) sulfur dioxide emission,” he added.

READ: Taal Volcano still on Alert Level 1 as Phivolcs marks ‘ongoing low-level activity’

According to Bacolcol, they have monitored steaming from the mouth of the Taal Volcano as high as three kilometers, composed of particulates and sulfur dioxide.  When mixed with moisture or water, the emissions turn into volcanic smog.

The Phivolcs head reminded residents, especially those with respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, to stay indoors and wear masks, preferably N95 face masks.

“So ‘yon pong mga sensitive dito are those with health conditions like asthma, lung disease and heart disease, ‘yong mga matatanda, ‘yong mga buntis at saka mga bata.  So kung ‘yong vog ang pinag-uusapan, pinapayuhan po natin ang ating mga residente na umiwas sa mga, refrain from doing outdoor activities, manatili sa loob ng bahay at isara ang mga pinto at mga bintana,” Bacolcol said.

(So those sensitive to this environment are those with health conditions like asthma, lung disease, and heart disease, as well as elderly people, pregnant women, and children.  So if we are talking about the vog, we advise people to avoid outdoor activities, stay home, and close doors and windows.)

“Kung ‘yong bahay nila ay pwedeng mapasukan ng vog, lumipat muna sila sa lugar na hindi aabutin ng sulfur dioxide.  Kung hindi naman talaga maiiwasan na lumabas, we protect ourselves by wearing face mask, N95 kung pupwede.  At kung makalanghap ng asupre, uminom ng maraming tubig para ma-dilute ‘yong asupre or the sulfur dioxide.  Kung malala na talaga lalo na ‘yong mga may health conditions […] they need to see medical doctors,” he added.

(If their home is affected by vog, they should temporarily move to another place the sulfur dioxide can’t reach.  But if going out is unavoidable, we can protect ourselves by wearing a face mask, N95 if possible.  And if they inhale the sulfur, they must drink lots of water to dilute the sulfur dioxide.  But if the condition is critical, especially for those with health conditions, they must see doctors.)

As of now, Bacolcol said the vog is affecting the towns of Balete and Laurel in Batangas, but a change in wind patterns may result in more towns seeing the vog.

“‘Yong vog na nakaka-apekto sa Balete, sa Laurel, at ‘yong mga municipalities, so again, pwedeng, depende ‘yan wind direction, pwedeng lumipat sa ibang lugar, so they should always be ready,” he noted.

(The vog affects Balete and Laurel and other municipalities, but that depends on the wind direction, so it is possible for the vog to reach other areas, so they should always be ready.)

Taal Volcano had its last major eruption on January 12, 2020, displacing thousands of families within Batangas and Cavite provinces.

READ: IN PHOTOS: Taal Volcano eruption

Its activity continued over the years, erupting again in March 2022, occasionally spewing steam and ash clouds.

Alert Level 2 for Mayon

Aside from Taal Volcano, Bacolcol said that Phivolcs is also monitoring Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol Region. Earlier, Phivolcs elevated the alert level status in Mayon to Alert Level 2 — which means that “there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption.”

Bacolcol said the agency arrived at the decision after recording 49 rockfall incidents since January 4.

“We raised the alert level, from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 kaninang umaga, 10:00 a.m. sa kadahilanang mayroon kaming na-record na 49 rock falls starting 5:00 a.m. no’ng January 4 to 5:00 a.m. kanina,” he said.

(We raised the alert level from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 earlier this morning at 10:00 a.m., as we have recorded 49 rockfalls starting 5:00 a.m. of January 4 to 5:00 a.m. today.)

“So we raised it to Alert Level 2 na po siya ngayon (now), and we advised again the people not to venture doon sa (within the) six-kilometer permanent danger zone,” he added. “We are closely monitoring Mayon Volcano, that’s the reason why we raised to Alert Level 2.”

The Phivolcs OIC assured the public that they would make announcements should there be any changes on the parameters for Mayon Volcano.

je/abc