Phivolcs records brief phreatic event in Taal Volcano

(INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — A short-lived phreatic event was observed in the Taal Volcano main crater on Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

“A short-lived phreatic event in the Taal Main Crater was recorded by the Main Crater Observation Station (VTMC) at 01:45 PM (local time), 15 May 2024,” it said in a Facebook post.

The event lasted for about five minutes and produced a 500-meter-tall steam plume that drifted west-northwest, said Phivolcs.

Alert level 1 remains in effect over Taal Volcano, it added.

Last May 10, four minor successive phreatic eruptions were also recorded in the volcano’s main crater, which was driven by “continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal main crater and could be succeeded by similar events.”

Meanwhile, last April 20, three short-lived phreatic eruptions were also observed at the same location.