Phivolcs records 4 phreatic eruptions at Taal Volcano’s main crater

Taal Volcano as seen from Laurel, Batangas. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Four minor successive phreatic or steam-driven eruptions were observed at Taal volcano’s main crater on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

These were recorded at 8:54 a.m. to 8:57 a.m., 11:07 a.m. to 11:10 a.m., 1:48 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. and 5:37 p.m. to 5:38 p.m. based on visual and seismic observations.

READ: Phivolcs: Taal Volcano records brief phreatic event

“The events produced white steam-laden plumes that rose between 50 and 300 meters above the Main Crater before drifting west-northwest based on IP camera monitors,” Phivolcs said in an advisory.

“Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions increased on 13 May 2024 at 5,094 tonnes/day. Average SO2 emissions since January this year remain high at 8,686 tonnes/day,” it added.

Alert level 1 remains over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition.

READ: Phivolcs records brief phreatic event in Taal Volcano

The state seismologist explained that under Alert Level 1, “sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas” can occur and threaten areas within Taal Volcano Island (TVI)

“Furthermore, degassing of high concentrations of volcanic SO2 continues to pose the threat of potential long-term health impacts to communities around Taal Caldera that are frequently exposed to volcanic gas. DOST-PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that entry into TVI, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone or PDZ, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, must remain strictly prohibited,” it added.