Phivolcs: Taal Volcano records brief phreatic event

Phivolcs said that a brief phreatic event occurred in Taal Volcano on Thursday. (Photo screengrabbed from video posted on Phivolcs Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — The Taal Volcano had a short phreatic event lasting about three minutes on Thursday morning, the state volcanology bureau said.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), a phreatic eruption occurs when water is heated by hot magma, which causes a steam-driven burst.

READ: Phivolcs records brief phreatic event in Taal Volcano

The Phivolcs added that the phreatic event on Thursday produced a 300-meter tall steam plume that went west-northwest.

As of writing, Taal is currently in Alert Level 1, which indicates a “low level of volcanic unrest.”

Other observations in Alert Level 1 may include slight increases in volcanic activities, minor explosions from vents, increases in hot spring temperatures, and inflation or swelling of the volcanic edifice.

READ: Phivolcs detects 4 minor steam blasts at Taal Volcano

The Phivolcs also banned entry into the Taal’s permanent danger zones, such as the Taal Volcano Island, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, and other activities in Taal Lake.